Murrurundi Pipeline Officially Opened

FROM today, 2 million litres of water per day can now flow from Glenbawn Dam, via Scone, to Murrurundi, with the opening of the Scone to Murrurundi pipeline.

Murrurundi residents have been on level 6 restrictions since July 2018, through on of the worst droughts on record, but can now enjoy a longer shower, put on more loads of washing and water their gardens on a freer level 2 restriction.

Opening the Scone-Murrurundi water pipeline at Murrurundi’s first water bottle refilling station: Upper Hunter Shire Council Mayor Wayne Bedggood, his wife Michelle and dog Whiskey, with Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen.

The 40 kilometre pipeline, with three pump stations and two 450,000 litre storage tanks was brought in on time and within the $14.2million budget, by pipeline contractor Leed Engineering and Construction.

Since the Pages River ran dry last year, Council has carted water to Murrurundi from Scone at a cost of $675,000, with water from an emergency bore which cost $250,000 supplementing 60 million litres and saving 2,400 water carting trips from Scone. 

Plans are now taking shape for village reticulation systems for the villages of Blandford, Parkville and Wingen and a new, larger reservoir for Murrurundi with $4,402,400 worth of grants from the State Government and a tender for the design being awarded in January.

Since the Pages River ran dry last year, Council has carted water to Murrurundi from Scone at a cost of $675,000, with water from an emergency bore which cost $250,000 supplementing 60 million litres and saving 2,400 water carting trips from Scone.