: News Article

Wet start to pipeline project

04/02/2004

The chiefs at NQ Water have ordered the rain dance to stop.

They were counting on February rain to help reduce demand while contractors carried out a major maintenance project.

Contractors now faced the prospect of rain delays, said NQ Water Chairman Ian Hamilton.

"Everything has gone to plan so far," Mr Hamilton said. "The overcast conditions have helped hold consumption at around 100 ML a day which is where we wanted it. "

"We have contingency plans in place but any large falls now could to cause some delay."

The Townsville Weather Office recorded 43 mm in the 24 hours to dawn this morning and is predicting further showers today.

Mr Hamilton said one of the first jobs this morning the removal of a 30 tonne block of concrete on the Condon side of Black Weir underneath Upper Ross River Road.

"We need to remove the block before we can connect the new section of pipe," he said. "The connection on other side of the weir at Douglas involves the removal of three, three metre sections of concrete pipe.

"The system will be then be refilled and brought back into service, we are hoping, by Friday."

Contractors are connecting a new 160 tonne section of pipe to the system that supplies 80 per cent of water to Townsville and Thuringowa.

The project started in earnest this morning after the system was drained overnight and around 5 million litres of water emptied into Black Weir.

Meanwhile, Mr Hamilton said the community had responded well to appeals to avoid all non-essential use of water.

© 2004 NQ Water