Coliban Water’s rural season started Monday 19 December, slightly later than usual, due to record-breaking spring rainfall and this year’s major flood events.
Chief Officer Assets and Operations Danny McLean said the significant wet weather had caused damage to 39 metres of the Coliban Main Channel.
“This has been repaired as matter of priority to ensure security of supply to Bendigo and to our rural customers.
“Thankfully our contractors have completed restoration works which means the channel is fully operational again. A temporary fix was in place for two weeks whilst repairs were completed.”
Mr McLean said a number of minor channels had also suffered flood damage, and rural staff were working to remove silt, debris and fallen trees.
“It’s important to note that whilst Coliban Water will repair and inspect its own channels following the floods, some channels are privately-owned and located on farm land.
“It is up to rural property owners to assess their own channels and repair them as required. Rural customers may have experienced similar damage as a result of the flood events.”
Coliban Water’s rural system supplies untreated water to more than 1,148 rural licence holders via 500 kilometres of channels and pipelines.
Mr McLean said the organisation was pleased to offer 100 per cent allocation to rural customers for the 12th year in a row.
“Providing our customers with their full allocation gives them certainty during the warmer months and allows them to look forward with security – especially with the unpredictable nature of our weather at the moment.
“We’ve already had some water orders coming in and we’ve started to run some of our channels as the rural season gets underway.”
Rural water delivery is based on demand, with water delivered only when demand is strong enough on a particular system to ensure efficiency is maximised.
“For this reason, please ensure you submit your water orders promptly.
“Water orders can be submitted between 7am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays and the Christmas/New Year break). We require 48 hours’ notice or two working days.
“Remember you need to be either a registered licence holder or an authorised person for the account,” Mr McLean said.
Rural customers are asked to have their individual BEE number ready when they phone 1300 761 738 to place a water order.
For more information, please phone our Customer Support Team on 1300 363 200 or go to https://coliban.com.au/rural
Last updated on 20 Dec 2022