Major milestone for Tottenham Water Supply

Published on 07 November 2024

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water distributed the following media release on 7 November 2024.

Residents in Tottenham and Albert are well on their way to securing reliable, high-quality drinking water all year round with the Tottenham Water Supply Project hitting a key milestone.

Construction is now complete on a brand-new 1.18 megalitre reservoir in Albert which is nearly double the size of the aging reservoir it replaces, allowing more water to be stored for when it’s needed most.

The work is part of a $4.6 million investment made in partnership between the NSW Government and Lachlan Shire Council to bolster water security for the two townships and surrounds.

The region’s drinking water supply currently comes from the Forbes Water Treatment Plant via a pipeline into the Albert reservoir where water is also gravity fed to the storage facility in Tottenham to service hundreds of residents in each town. 

Built in the 1960s, the old reservoir was demolished to make way for the new 21st century infrastructure that holds twice the amount of water coming down the pipe, providing greater reliability for the community.  

As part of the project, the Leg-O-Mutton Dam is also undergoing upgrades to boost the region’s drought resilience, with works expected to soon be complete.

The dam provides a critical long-term storage solution, holding additional water collected during the winter months to use as a supplement supply during the peak summer demand period.

The project is expected to be fully complete by July 2025.  

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Infrastructure Development, Lisa Hingerty said:

“Having access to a reliable water source is a priority for any community. We know Lachlan Shire locals are vulnerable to drought, and that’s why we’re backing this project with substantial funds to improve water security across the region.

“The ageing reservoir in Albert helped serve the community for over 60 years but with modern technology available and a need for something bigger, the new infrastructure is a welcome upgrade.

“Now the community will have access to a much bigger supply, which is critically important, especially during dry times. It’s fantastic to see the project hit this major milestone.”

Lachlan Shire Council Mayor, John Medcalf OAM said: 

“This project significantly boosts drought resilience for residents in the Tottenham and Albert area and helps us to continue delivering safe and secure water to the community all year round.

“From doubling the size of our Albert Reservoir to upgrading the infrastructure at the Leg-O-Mutton Dam, our community can rest assured that we’re prepared in the face of a varying climate.

“We’re grateful for the NSW Government’s support, helping to ensure we have the infrastructure we need now and for the future.”

You can view the original media release here(PDF, 273KB) .