Pipeline to improve water supply

Mitiamo landowners have some refreshing news as they await improved water supply, with a new $29 million government-funded pipeline to be delivered by Goulburn-Murray Water. Mitiamo Pipeline Project project director Daniel Arnold said the pipeline would be beneficial to the local community through improved water quality and accessibility. "The current system is characterised by poor service capability and large losses of water through seepage and evaporation,” Mr Arnold said. "Over 80 per cent of water supplied to the channels is lost before use and only two-thirds of the project area is currently serviced." Construction is expected to start early next year, with the final pipeline supplying 75,000 hectares north of Bendigo and south-west of Echuca near the townships of Mitiamo, Tennyson and Dingee. “The potential for productive agriculture and expansion of intensive agricultural industries is currently constrained by the availability, reliability and quality of domestic and stock water,” Mr Arnold said. "The Mitiamo township is also significantly affected by water quality resulting in regular high-cost water cartage from Echuca to replace or augment supplies." The Mitiamo Pipeline Project is estimated to reduce public and private water losses by about 1026 Ml/year.