Manilla residents have had their water security assured into the future following Tamworth Regional Council and the State Government combining to fund an estimated $15 million upgrade.
The upgrade will mark the end of an era for the town, whose existing treatment plant, which is set to be demolished to make way, was built in 1933.
The new state-of-the-art facility is set to be built on a nearby vacant 34 hectare property, which was recently purchased by TRC.
The new plant will be capable of treating 3.5 megalitres a day, with the project also including a new pump station and intake works at the Manilla River, as well as an upgrade to the intake on the Namoi River and new pipelines to both.
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The dual filtration system will allow the station to operate out of either source, or combine them.
Councillor Jim Maxwell said that with the Namoi under so much pressure during the drought, having a dual filtration plant is great news for the community.
“Manilla was considered to have one of the most secure and best water around, but over a period of time the town, which is great, but now we haven’t quite got the supply we need,” Mr Maxwell said.
“This new system, pipelines and pumps will give us a sustainable water supply, and better quality.”
The June state budget saw 3.75 million pumped into starting the project, with Kevin Anderson saying the remaining state funds will be coming from the $1 billion Safe and Secure Water Program.
“This system was 85 years old and was very labour-intensive so we are proud to partner with TRC, matching dollar for dollar, to upgrade the facility and provide clean fresh running water for Manilla,” he said.
Council has put the project to tender, with Mr Maxwell confirming four interested parties. A successful tenderer is expected to be named by the end of the year, with an 18 month construction time.
