Apply to connect to a rural pipeline. Information about pipeline water allowances. Tools and advice for designing and monitoring your on-farm piped system.
Connect to the East Grampians Rural PipelineConnecting to the East Grampians rural pipeline will secure a reliable water supply for your property. |
Connect to the South West Loddon PipelineConnecting to the South West Loddon pipeline will secure a reliable water supply for your property. |
Express an interest to connect to the West Grampians Rural PipelineIf feasible, a pipeline extension will reach into agricultural areas in the south east of the West Wimmera Shire. This pipeline could provide ongoing water security for rural customers in the project area as well as the townships of Edenhope and Harrow - including significant economic, social, recreational and environmental benefits to the region. |
Connect to a rural pipelineMany properties in rural areas will have the option to join our existing water network. The primary requirement for a property is that it's fronted by one of our pipelines. |
Apply for a pipeline water allowanceGWMWater customers supplied from rural pipeline systems have fully tradable water allowances, which are registered at an individual customer level with the Victorian Water Register. |
Benefits of connecting to a rural pipelineThere are many benefits of having a piped supply, from better quality water for bathing and washing to security for firefighting or enterprise opportunities. |
Designing your on-farm piped systemIf you're planning to install your on-farm piped system, we have tools and advice available to help you come up with the best design for your property. |
Monitor your rural pipeline useWith droughts and unreliable rainfall making water such a valuable resource, it's important to make sure you're using your water supplies as efficiently as possible. |
Wimmera Mallee Pipeline
The Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project is the best thing for 100 years!
The Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project is the largest water infrastructure project in Australia, replacing 17,500 kilometres of inefficient earthen channel with 9,159 kilometres of pressurised pipeline and associated structures.
Construction of this great engineering feat commenced in November 2006 with the last pipe being laid in April 2010 - well ahead of the 10 year timeframe originally proposed and within the $688 million project budget.
The pipeline will save on average 103 billion litres of water a year and provide a continuous water supply to approximately 9,000 farms and 34 townships across the Wimmera and Mallee.
Thursday 15 April, 2010 saw the Horsham Soundshell come alive with celebrations for the official opening of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
The Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project was officially opened by then Premier of Victoria, John Brumby and the Minister for Water, Tim Holding, on 15 April 2010.
Federal and State parlimentarians joined GWMWater's then Chairman Barry Clugston to lower the ‘Piping It’ flag and raise the ‘Piped It’ flag with a crowd of more than 1,100 interested community members cheering them on. The flag ceremony symbolised the completion of all pipes laid and officially opened the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
Thanks to the pipeline project, made possible by project partners including the Australian and Victorian governments, 36 towns and our 7,000 rural customers are now receiving a high quality and reliable water supply.
Water restriction levels for these customers were eased from Stage 4 to Stage 1 in October 2009 and subsequently moved to Permanent Water Saving Rules in October 2010 as a result of the improved water security that the project has delivered.
Status update and link to Supply System maps
No Water - No Life
'No Water No Life' a historic look at our headworks system researched and written by Bob McIlvena
Series reproduced with the kind permission of the Wimmera Mail Times
GWMWater accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in the series, please click here to view the series
Channels
The Wimmera Mallee open earthen channel system ran from the Grampians ranges south of Horsham, north beyond Ouyen, and east to the Murray River. Historically the 17,500 kilometre channel system annually supplied water to 36 towns and filled 22,000 farm dams across the region.
High levels of evaporation and seepage from the channel system were key motivators for the regional push for a piped supply system, which led to the construction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project. This $688 million project saw the channel system replaced by a 9,159 kilometre piped water supply system in early 2010.
Channel decommissioning
With the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline system in operation, channel decommissioning has been undertaken around our region and completed in 2014. Many smaller channels and structures remain, which were unable to be decommissioned within the project budget. Where some channels may provide a drainage function, ownership and management responsibility will be transferred by Deed to the landowner or appropriate entity.
Find out about our current projects.
Urban Remote MeteringGWMWater is upgrading water meters with 'remote meters' across urban areas in our service area following a successful roll-out for rural pipeline customers. |
Capital upgrades and renewalsGWMWater is committed to the ongoing improvement of services and infrastructure in our region. That's why we undertake an annual capital investment program as part of our committment to provide sustainable water and wastewater services for our community. |
East Grampians Rural PipelineThe East Grampians Rural Pipeline will secure the future of the region by providing a reliable, secure supply of high-quality water year-round. |
South West Loddon Pipeline ProjectConstruction of Stage 1 of the 1,300 km of stock and domestic pipeline in the south west of the Loddon Shire started on 5 July 2016. |
Drinking Water UpgradesAs part of our ongoing commitment to provide drinking (potable) water to townships across our region, we are pleased to announce that Ultima, Moyston, Kaniva and Elmhurst will be upgraded to fully-treated supplies in our current Water Plan. |
Goroke Sewerage SchemeWe are investing in the Goroke township to provide a sewerage scheme to deliver a reliable and effective waterwater treatment process to support the prosperity and future growth of the town. |
Tips and advice for saving water in the house and garden.
How much water you useIt can very surprising to learn how much water you're using in a day. Once you know you're a lot more conscious of how you can save water. |
Saving water in the gardenA lovely garden is a great place to relax and unwind. Gardens need water, but they don't necessarily need a lot of water. |
Saving water in the houseSaving water at home is much easier than you might think! The key to saving water is to think about what small, simple changes you can make in your daily life to use less water. |
Check for leaks using a water meterYour water meter can be used to check your water supply for leaks. This is important because if you have a leak, you're not only wasting water, but also money! |
Education Program Request Form
To book a school visit or tour with us, fill in the form below:
Primary programs
National Water Week
We encourage all primary schools in our region to participate in our annual National Water Week Poster Competition. Great prizes are awarded to winning students and their schools.
Activity sheets
We have a variety of activity sheets for classroom use. These activity sheets are designed to be fun and educational for primary school aged children.
Secondary program
Stockholm Junior Water Prize
The Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an annual water science competition for secondary school students focusing on projects aimed at improving the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resources management, water protection and water and wastewater treatment. This award aims to increase interest in water-related issues and research, and to raise awareness and knowledge of global water challenges.
The competition is open to all Australian secondary school students between the ages of 15 and 20.
Careers in the water industry
Are you looking for a career in the water industry? Click here to access information and resources to help navigate a rewarding career in the water industry.
See our current vacancies and subscribe to receive job alerts.
ResourceSmart Schools
ResourceSmart Schools is a free program offered by Sustainability Victoria that supports Victorian schools to embed sustainability across the school facilities, community and curriculum, while saving resources and money for the school.
Learn more about the new ResourceSmart Schools Online program.
Groundwater
Learn about groundwater through an interactive game, classroom teaching guides and activities at www.wetrocks.com.au