Water-pipe shutdown anger aired in Parliament

Member for Roe Peter Rundle has condemned a Water Corporation decision to close several water pipes in the shires of Lake Grace and Kulin.

Earlier this January, during one of the hottest months of the year, nine Water Corporation standpipes were shut off without notice in Lake Grace area.

This decision angered residents, who rely heavily on the pipes to operate their farms with barely any water left on their dams. Mr Rundle expressed his concern in State Parliament last week, saying the situation could have been avoided with better planning.

“Water Corp claims that the intense demand from farmers was compromising local drinking water supply, however this situation should have been identified months ago,” he said. “It was known that there were low local water storage levels, and that summer would result in low rainfall, so there is no excuse to not be prepared.

“Farmers are innovative and self-sufficient operators, but when their dams dry up through no fault of their own, they need to draw on Government supplies to service their livestock.”

Water Corporation regional manager Adrian Stewart said the drinking water available for the shires of Lake Grace and Kulin was constantly monitored by the agency. “Water is made available through local government standpipes/tanks connected to our scheme for short-term emergency use,” he said. “It is important for users to be aware it should not be relied on as a regular source of water.”

Mr Stewart also said there would be occasions when they had to temporarily restrict use to ensure drinking water could be made available for properties connected to the scheme.