The physical work to build the replacement pipeline to Magnetic Island is due to start by October.

Townsville City Council last night signed off on the Magnetic Island Pipeline Agreement that gives NQ Water access to council land for the construction and operation of the pipeline.

Residents should start to see a stockpile of pipe in the Pallarenda Road Reserve at the southern end of the residential area over the next month.

NQ Water Chief Executive Officer Ken Diehm says the approvals process is almost complete.

"This is a sensitive area and there are a large number of regulatory authorities involved," Mr Diehm says.

"Staff in these agencies all recognised that this is an essential service for a significant part of the local population and we thank them for giving the project priority to have it finished before the wet season.  

"The council agreement is a major approval in this five million dollar investment which will deliver a surety of water supply from the mainland."

The pipeline has been designed to fall in alignment with the existing facility that was laid 20 years ago.

Mr Diehm says the contractor is operating under similar circumstances as those who built the Strand.

"It doesn't come much stricter than operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area," he says. "By following the existing route we are minimising any disruption.

"We have also had the benefit of top level planning through the Townsville office of Maunsell Australia, which is the project manager."