A landmark first for Delegate’s drinking water

A monumental project to bring Delegate’s water supply into the 21st century is complete, with water now flowing from a new state-of-the-art water treatment plant that will deliver potable water to more than 350 residents – a historical first for the town.

The project is thanks to a $15 million investment from the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program and will significantly boost drinking water quality for Delegate and Bombala.

The new plant can treat up to 350 kilolitres per day and uses the latest technology including carbon filtration systems and UV disinfection. This technology ensures water is treated effectively to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, putting an end to the town’s permanent boil water alert.

As part of the work, a new 300 kilolitre storage reservoir was built to provide a reliable water supply to the community.

The new infrastructure will serve the community for the next four to five decades and replaces an outdated chlorination system that could not treat water to a potable standard.

The major milestone follows the completion of the Bombala Water Treatment Plant earlier this year that is now delivering top notch drinking water to over 1,400 residents.

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:

“This is an absolute game changer for the Delegate community who have never had fully treated drinking water in their town and have had to rely on boiled water or rainwater for their supply, which is both inconvenient and unpredictable.

“It’s fantastic to see this significant investment put on the table to deliver a modern and robust treatment system that will improve locals’ lives.

“Both the Delegate and Bombala plants are now operating and delivering top quality drinking water to the tap, which is a major win for residents.”

Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“This is a huge upgrade for Delegate and a major step forward for water security in the region.

“For too long, residents have had to rely on boiled or rainwater – that changes now. The people of Delegate and surrounds can now rely on a modern supply that meets the highest standards.

“This state-of-the-art infrastructure is an investment in the future of local families and businesses and will serve the community with a safe and reliable water supply for generations to come.”

Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor Chris Hanna said:

“Thanks to the help of the NSW Government, we’re overjoyed to be officially switching the people of Delegate over to their new and fully potable water supply.

“Many of us have never had to think about where we’ll get our next drink of water from, and it’s so exciting to be able to bring this 21st century peace-of mind to the people of the southern Snowy Monaro.

“This is a really big investment for this community and shows that no matter where in Australia you choose to put down roots, you can count on government investment to provide the up-to-date essential infrastructure that you rely on.

“Backed by the latest technology, the people of Delegate can finally turn on their taps with confidence and look forward to a more secure future in the years and decades to come.”