Upgrading our Caves Road pipeline
Posted: 29 January 2025
Our Caves Road pipeline upgrade will get underway next week, with works set to commence on Monday 3 February. This important infrastructure project will see 1.2km of new 560mm outer diameter Polyethylene water supply pipeline constructed along Caves Road from Lennox Drain to Marybrook Drain over the next four months.
In addition to providing drinking water to Busselton and surrounds, Busselton Water supplies bulk water to the Water Corporation’s Mewett Road Water Treatment Plant in Quindalup via a single water supply main. This water supply is then distributed to the Dunsborough township and surrounding areas by the Water Corporation.
The water is supplied under a commercial water supply agreement which sets out six daily water entitlement levels. Currently the supply is on the first level, at around 2,500kl per day. However, the Water Corporation has notified Busselton Water that it now needs to move to the second level – which is at around 3,400kl per day.
Busselton Water CEO David Hughes-Owen said the existing pipeline along Caves Road is simply not sufficient to meet the flow rates required to deliver the next level of water supply without being upgraded.
“This project is part of a broader infrastructure improvement program that will see the biggest investment in new and upgraded infrastructure in decades,“ explained Mr Hughes-Owen. “It will increase the network capacity and improve water pressure to Busselton Water’s customers downstream.”
The new sections of pipeline will be tied into the existing supply main as they are completed and once all sections are constructed it will become a dedicated Distribution Main.
Having a new, dedicated Distribution Main will be hugely beneficial as it will allow for pressure management on both mains and eliminate bulk water transfer disruption due to breakages and leaks.
Throughout the project, traffic management will be required between Mitchell Street and Marybrook Road, with speed reductions and periodic short-term traffic holds expected. Traffic management will be provided in accordance with a Traffic Management Plan that has been authorised by Main Roads WA and the City of Busselton.
Should you have questions you can contact our Project Manager Conor Gill via email at [email protected].