Kew-Balwyn Water Upgrade is over 100 years in the making

Yarra Valley Water is upgrading a 104-year-old water main which supplies water to 14,000 properties from Kew to Balwyn.

Work has started on the second stage of the $9.3 million project which is part of a larger effort to upgrade aging water mains around Melbourne’s inner eastern and northern suburbs, some of which were built in the early 1900s and earlier.

Yarra Valley Water Managing Director, Pat McCafferty said that the project is significant because it is a once in a 100-year upgrade to one of the main sources of water supply in the area.

“The pipework we’re replacing was installed over a century ago during the height of World War One and is nearing the end of its life.

“Kew was one of the first established suburbs in the eastern suburbs and many of the water mains in the area are over 100 years old. It’s a maze of history intertwined beneath the roads that most people don’t realise exists,” Mr McCafferty said.

 

The second stage of the project involves constructing a 1.5-kilometre-long water main and decommissioning 2.6 kilometres of pipes which will make water flow more reliable in Kew and Balwyn.

The water main supplies water from the Surrey Hills Reservoir to the Kew Reservoir and connects to existing mains at Denmark Street and Union Road.  

Mr McCafferty said that despite already being densely populated, the area is still growing at a solid rate and the upgrade would ensure water supply is able to keep pace with growth.

“This is a popular area for home-buyers, renters and businesses and it’s going to keep on growing. These works will ensure we’re able to keep up with demand and deliver a great service for years to come,” Mr McCafferty said.

Water and sewerage services in the area will not be affected by works which will take place between 7am and 5pm. The upgrade is scheduled to finish by mid-2020 weather permitting.

For more information visit www.yvw.com.au/KewBalwynWater