A water main linking Kalimna and Lakes Entrance, which runs down the escarpment and under North Arm will soon be replaced and upgraded by East Gippsland Water to accommodate population growth.
The water main crosses North Arm at Marine Parade, near the Princes Highway, and is one of only two water mains that provide potable water to Lakes Entrance.
East Gippsland Water general manager sustainability and infrastructure Neville Pearce said the Lakes Entrance Water Main Expansion Project is important to the overall water supply system.
“The water main at North Arm helps East Gippsland Water maintain its service levels, particularly during Lakes Entrance’s peak visitor periods,” Mr Pearce said.
“In 2019 we found and repaired a leak in water main. At this time we identified the need to replace the section of pipe underneath the North Arm waterway, to ensure long-term reliability and also accommodate future growth in Lakes Entrance and surrounds.”
The works will be visible at Point Road, Kalimna, and the North Arm Apex Park boat ramp off Marine Parade, Lakes Entrance.
“One of East Gippsland Water’s key responsibilities is to look to the future needs of our communities. For this project, we are installing a larger water main than the existing pipe to service the forecast population growth in the region,” Mr Pearce said.
The water main will be replaced using horizontal directional drilling for the 450-metre-long section underneath the waterway. An additional 170-metre-long section will be replaced using open trenching.
“We are scheduling these works to avoid the peak tourism period. Lakes Entrance is a major tourist destination, so we are conscious to minimise disruption during the peak summer period.
“The project is also located within the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site. As an organisation closely aligned with environmental sustainability, we are committed to ensuring we do not impact this highly valuable ecological area,” Mr Pearce said.
The project’s design is almost complete. Tendering for the work is expected to take place in July to August, which construction planned to begin in October this year and be complete before Christmas.
