A more secure future for Tottenham water supply

The NSW Government and Lachlan Shire Council have bolstered Tottenham's drought preparedness with the completion of an extensive upgrade to the Leg-0-Mutton Dam, marking the final milestone in a $4.6 million water infrastructure project.

This investment ensures more reliable year-round access to water for residents in Tottenham, Albert, and surrounding rural communities, helping the region better manage resources and withstand future droughts.

When in use, Leg-0-Mutton dam water is treated at the Tottenham Water Treatment Plant, stored in the town's reservoir and distributed to households.

When offline, potable water is supplied via the Albert Reservoir, recently ungraded to 1.18ML, nearly double is original capacity and filled through a pipeline from Forbes.

This project delivers modern, resilient infrastructure that secures water supply for generations to come.

NSW DCCEEW Director of Grants Program, Kirsty Fenton said:

"We know the Lachlan Shire is extremely vulnerable to drought and that access to water is always top of mind for locals, which is why the NSW Government stepped in to deliver infrastructure solutions that will lock-in more secure and reliable water in the face of a drying climate.

"This project was a strategic two-pronged approach which has given the Leg-0-Mutton Dam a new lease of life alongside a much larger 1.18ML reservoir that will support Tottenham and Albert over the long term and help address water security concerns by increasing storage and supply.

"Seeing this project cross the finishing line at a pivotal time of year, when the dam starts filling up with water from rainfall and overflows from the Forbes network, is a huge win and will put these towns on the front foot when they move into the warmer months."

Lachlan Shire Council Mayor, John Medcalf OAM said:

"Completion of this significant project is welcome news for our community as we are in a much stronger position to weather the next drought thanks to a more durable Leg-0-Mutton Dam, as well as a substantially larger Albert Reservoir.

"Increased storage capacity will make the dam more reliable so that water is available for our residents when they need it the most.

"We're incredibly grateful for the NSW Government's support in ensuring our community has new water infrastructure that will benefit generations to come."