Tailem Bend to Keith pipeline valve upgrades
The Tailem Bend to Keith pipeline is a 138-kilometre aboveground pipeline which was built in 1973. The pipeline transfers large volumes of safe, clean drinking water which is produced at the Tailem Bend Water Treatment plant located on the banks of the Murray River.
At full capacity, the Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline can move 44 million litres of drinking water to supply around 3,000 homes and businesses across the south-east each day.
The pipeline being constructed circa 1970
What are the upgrades?
Together with our contractors, we are planning a major upgrade of the pipeline with a number of critical valves needing to be replaced and another three new valves installed to continue to deliver water services across the Murray Mallee and South-East.
Each location will have a slightly unique scope of work and timeframe with work being staged, working south to north.
The pipeline being constructed circa 1970
What are the upgrades?
Together with our contractors, we are planning a major upgrade of the pipeline with a number of critical valves needing to be replaced and another three new valves installed to continue to deliver water services across the Murray Mallee and South-East.
Each location will have a slightly unique scope of work and timeframe with work being staged, working south to north.
An SA Water field operations staff member with one of our 3.5 tonne valves to be installed.
Here's what the new valves will mean for the towns water supply:
- Coonalpyn - reducing customer impacts in the case of an outage by 257 properties.
- Culburra - reducing customer impacts in the case of an outage by 116 properties.
- Tintinara - reducing customer impacts in the case of an outage by 315 properties.
Where the upgrades will take place
Map of the Tailem to Keith Pipeline and the locations of the valves to be upgraded.
When it's happening
The project is expected to be completed this year, with the majority of remaining valve installations taking place during the cooler months when demand is lower, to minimise the impact of any supply interruptions.
Please refer to our timeline on the right side of this page for an up-to-date schedule.
Keeping you updated
To keep our crews and the community safe, some disruption to local traffic may be required but we will keep you informed in the lead up to this project. We will let you know if any temporary water interruptions will be required to your property.
Have a question about our valve upgrades along the TBK pipeline?
Help with contacting us
Deaf, hearing or speech impaired customers.
Contact us through the National Relay Service(External link) and ask for SA Water on 1300 729 283.
- TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for SA Water on 1300 729 283
- Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for SA Water on 1300 729 283
Calling from overseas
You can contact us on +61 8 7424 1735
Postal address
PO Box 693, Port Lincoln SA 5606
