The project team, which comprises Bathurst Regional Council, the Department of Public Works and the contractor, has spent the past couple of weeks finalising the design and preparing plans. 

This means work on the site of the project can begin as early as next month. 

Residents, however, will not see this major infrastructure project completed for another 18 months to two years. 

The aim of the project is to remove the naturally occurring manganese from the water network, which should bring about a marked improvement in water quality.

However, council warns Bathurst soils contain manganese and some iron which is very difficult to remove completely during the treatment process. 

Over time the manganese is deposited on the walls of the pipes where it normally stays unless disturbed. 

As a result it is worse where the pipe work is older or when the flow of water in the pipe is increased. 

In June 2011, council requested that NSW Public Works undertake specific investigations into potential manganese removal methods which had been successful in other areas. 

After two years of complex testing, a program of works to install new equipment at the Water Filtration Plant is ready to begin. 

A council spokesperson said manganese does not create any public health concerns, but it is unsightly. 

When discoloured water appears, residents should run the tap closest to the street and another tap furthermost from the street for no more than five minutes. 

If the water is still not clear during working hours they should call Bathurst Regional Council on 6333 6100.  If the discoloured water occurs after hours call council’s emergency number, 6334 2795. 

Council has already distributed 1600 brochures advising residents of what to do if their water is discoloured. It also discusses the Manganese Removal Project. 

A further update will be included in the next council newsletter which will be distributed at the end of this month. 

The brochure was mayor Gary Rush’s initiative, after it became clear that people still had questions about the city’s water supply.