A large part of Townsville and Thuringowa will have better pressure and a more consistent service as NQ Water commissions a major new upgrade.

Contractor JJ Macdonald and Sons Engineering has brought the $1m project, to build a dedicated distribution pipeline to the Mt Louisa reservoirs, in on time and on budget.

It includes an 800mm mild steel pipe running 850m from the two, 22.5 ML Mt Louisa reservoirs to the Townsville City Council mains connection. A 500mm pipe has been built from that off take, running 1,100m to the Thuringowa mains connection on Dalrymple Road.

Chairman Ian Hamilton says NQ Water is a more effective and efficient operator as a result of the upgrade.

"This is a dedicated distribution pipeline from the reservoirs," Mr Hamilton says. "It had a dual role before this, as both a transfer main from Douglas Water Treatment Plant and a reticulation main.

"The new pipe will provide for a greater consistency of flow and pressure to our customers including the Townsville and Thuringowa City Councils.

"It will also increase our capacity to accommodate future growth in the area and means we will be able to project up to Rollingstone, should the need ever arise.

Mr Hamilton says having the utility under one umbrella saved ratepayers more than $1m.

"Before the 2001 restructure, Townsville the Thuringowa cities would have built separate pipes to service respective residents," he says. "Being able to cut across city boundaries represents significant savings for the community."    

Mr Hamilton says NQ Water is impressed with the way the contractor, JJ McDonald and Sons Engineering, has handled the project. .