Pipeline makes the most of recent rain

Following recent rainfall and improved flows in the Murrumbidgee River, Icon Water will operate the Murrumbidgee to Googong Pipeline (M2G).

The pipeline was built as one of several measures to protect Canberra’s water security following the millennium drought. It can transfer approximately 100 million litres (megalitres) a day into Burra Creek, which then flows into the Googong Reservoir.

“It’s terrific that the rainfall we’ve seen in recent weeks has boosted flows in the Murrumbidgee to the point we can begin pumping”, said Icon Water General Manager Gerard Brierley. 

“While Canberra’s dams did not receive a huge boost, with overall storage increasing by around 2 per cent, being able to operate M2G means we have a second chance to lift our storages”.

Icon Water has strict guidelines in place for operating the M2G pipeline, which include river volumes and water quality. With enough water now flowing, the plant is ready to start pumping and subsequently landholders in the Burra area have been notified.

“We have seen ash and increased turbidity in the river following bushfires in the last few months” said Mr Brierley.
Icon Water has been undertaking extensive testing to ensure water quality meets both environmental and source water criteria, due to the impacts of the recent bushfires in NSW and the ACT. 

“There is some discolouration to the water, which may show up in Burra Creek, however the water from Canberra and Queanbeyan’s taps will be the same high quality the community have come to expect”.

Icon Water applies multiple barriers to protect the water supply and public health. Both the treatment plants and the network are designed and operated to produce and deliver drinking water that meets the requirements of ACT Health and the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. 

“We continuously monitor our water supply from the source water through to the treatment plants and throughout the network. We will continue to test the water from the Murrumbidgee to ensure water quality meets our strict operating criteria”.