WATER quality is top priority, according to Bathurst Regional Council, which has this week issued an update on the Manganese Removal Project.

Discoloured water has tainted the bathtubs, sinks and washing of residents throughout the  summer, with council working to ensure residents are kept up-to-date with the project’s progress.

The newsletter, issued to all ratepayers, acknowledged the “widespread impact of discoloured water” and said the $5 million Manganese Removal Project was the biggest upgrade to the water filtration plant in more than 30 years.

“Water security is vital for the long-term growth and prosperity of the Bathurst region, and council is considering other plans for the future,” Bathurst mayor Gary Rush told residents via the newsletter. 

“Current projections show that by 2013 there will be about 52,000 people living in the Bathurst area – a 30 per cent increase on the current population.”

Construction of the capital works program is being carried out by local contractor Eodo Pty Ltd and the project is scheduled  for completion in the first half of 2015.

“This has included building new chemical dosing rooms, a filtered water to waste pump station, associated pipework, site foundations and the replacement of two ageing dosing tanks,” Cr Rush said.

“Work is also advancing to connect the new systems with the existing electrical and computer networks.”

Council will also conduct a systematic program of mains flushing at the same time the upgrades to the water filtration plant occur.

“This is the only way to remove the manganese already lodged in the pipes,” council’s manganese update booklet stated. 

“This program has already begun and will need to continue until after the upgrades have finished.

“Water used during the mains flushing is returned to the stormwater network across the city, which eventually makes its way to a number of urban creeks which are connected to the Macquarie River.”

Council will continue to notify people prior to any extensive network flushing, or you can register for an email alert notification via alertregistration@bathurst.nsw.gov.au. Customers who have discoloured water can contact council on 6333 6100 during business hours or after hours on 6334 2795.