Unitywater has reconnected water to White Patch in Queensland after it was washed away in February.
A rain bomb destroyed a 20-metre section of the White Patch Esplanade, including the water main that ran beneath the road, in White Patch – a small community in Bribie Island.
Local utility provider Unity Water enlisted a specialist contractor to build a temporary water supply. This was completed in three days.
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Daniel Lambert said that the it was critical for the company to restore the water supply to full service.
The project to establish a permanent solution took eight months, including geotechnical analysis, consultation with residents, local council, and Kabi Kabi representatives.
A new 250 mm diameter pipe was installed using horizontal directional drilling.
“These were complex works that carried a level of risk, especially as some of the drilling occurred underwater,” said Lambert.
Rhett Duncan, Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Delivery, acknowledged a rough year for the residents of White Patch.
“Unitywater and our partners demonstrated what it means to work as a team during adversity, coming together to coordinate crews, keep residents hydrated and updated on our progress, as well as continue to deliver essential water services,” he said.
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