Seqwater has been working to replace four valves at Barnes Hill, Mount Crosby. This weekend on Saturday 31 July and Sunday 1 August 2021, Seqwater will be undertaking additional work including releasing water, night works and the use of heavy machinery.

A temporary work site, including scaffolding, fencing and lighting, has been established close to your property and work will be conducted from 1pm on Saturday and through the night. 

On the afternoon of Saturday 31 July, water will be released from valves close to your property. Environmental controls are in place to minimise impacts to the local environment, plants and animals. There are no anticipated water supply disruptions.

What to expect:

• Seqwater employees and contractors will be in the area from 1pm on Saturday 31 July 2021 to undertake work overnight. Work is expected to be completed early on Sunday 1 August 2021.
• A crane and other heavy machinery will be used by work crews.
• Background noise and lights will be in place throughout the night work.
• A work site will remain in place until early August in order to complete testing.
• Water draining across nearby land into the existing draining system.
• No loss of water should occur. If you do experience a complete loss of water, please report this to Urban Utilities on 13 23 64.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions or concerns about this work, please contact us: 

• online www.seqwater.com.au/contact-us
• email [email protected]
• phone 1300 737 928

Out with the old, in with the new! Over the weekend, Seqwater successfully completed a major replacement of valves on two of Brisbane’s main bulk water supply pipelines.

Weekend works involved taking a 4km section of pipeline—that connects Mount Crosby Water Treatment Plants with the Green Hill Reservoir—offline to safely replace ageing valves. The replacement of these valves at Barnes Hill is a once in a lifetime opportunity as they are 50 years old and due for replacement to meet performance requirements.

The pipelines were reconnected and brought back online Sunday evening, with water supply returning to normal operations.

The work will involve taking a 4km section of the pipes offline at Barnes Hill to replace four valves which are reaching the end of their service life. 

Drinking water will be supplied from other areas of the network, however residents in Brisbane and Ipswich can assist by limiting their non-essential water use while the works are underway.

Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, said the work will support the ongoing supply of safe drinking water for the region and improve the reliability of the SEQ Water Grid.

“The upgrade is part of Seqwater’s program of works to ensure our water infrastructure continues to operate at peak condition,” Mr Butcher said.

“On average, 400 million litres of water flows through these pipes every day, making them some of the hardest working assets in the network.

“This project has been carefully planned across two stages to ensure the valves can be replaced safely with minimal disruption to residents and businesses.

“South East Queenslanders have already demonstrated they are water-wise and with the works being undertaken this weekend we’re asking them to be even more careful with the water they use.”

Minister Butcher said stage one of the project was completed last month and involved taking the two pipes offline temporarily to perform network checks to help plan the works.

Seqwater Chief Operating Officer, Stuart Cassie, said stage two involved replacing the valves which are 1.7m high and weigh 2.7 tonnes. “Our team will use two cranes, one 45 tonne and the other 25 tonne, to remove the old valves and secure the new ones safely. Work will begin on Saturday 17 July and is expected to continue into Monday 19 July,” Mr Cassie said.

“To complete the work safely, we will need to temporarily isolate the same section of the pipes to create a dry workspace. 

“We’ll be working with water service providers to supply water from other parts of the network to minimise impacts for residents and businesses.”

Urban Utilities spokesperson, Michelle Cull, said residents could support the project by limiting their non-essential water use this weekend while the works are being carried out.

“We’re asking everyone to save water where they can by keeping showers as short as possible and postponing any water intensive chores like washing the car, topping up the pool or watering the garden,” Ms Cull said.

“The average water consumption across South East Queensland is approximately 150 litres per person per day so we know people are using water wisely. We would like to see these habits continue, especially this weekend while these works are occurring.

“Similar to stage one of the project, some customers may notice reduced water pressure or their water has a different taste or smell as they will receive water from supply locations they don’t typically get water from during the works.” 

Changes to smell, taste and water pressure will be temporary, and the water remains safe to drink.

Logan Water customers serviced by these water pipes will not experience any service impacts during the planned works.

If residents or businesses experience any issues with their water supply, they can contact their water service provider.

For more information and the list of suburbs that may see potential impacts visit www.seqwater.com.au/project/barnes-hill or www.urbanutilities.com.au/BarnesHil

A temporary work site, including scaffolding, fencing and lighting, has been established close to your property and work will be conducted through the weekend. A crane and other heavy machinery will be used by work crews.

On the day of Saturday 3 July water will be released from valves along the pipeline. Valves, known as scour valves, are located at low points in the pipelines and often flow onto the land into natural gullies, waterways, or drains. Environmental controls are in place to minimise impacts to the local environment, plants and animals. There are no anticipated water supply disruptions.

What to expect:

• Seqwater employees and contractors will be in the area throughout the weekend of 3 and 4 July 2021 undertaking 24-hour work.
• From 5 July 2021, work hours will be 6am – 6pm, Monday to Friday.
• A work site has been established and will remain in place until late July.
• Background noise and lights from machinery, including a crane.
• Water draining across nearby land into the existing draining system.
• No loss of water should occur. If you do experience a complete loss of water, please report this to Urban Utilities on 13 23 64.

If you have any concerns about this work, please contact the project manager during business hours on 07 3437 4107 or email [email protected].

Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher said these pipes are some of the hardest working in the network, carrying millions of litres of water to residents and businesses across South East Queensland.

“The work will involve taking a 4km section of the pipes at Barnes Hill offline temporarily to replace four valves which are reaching the end of their service life,” Mr Butcher said.

“Up to 60 per cent of the water supply for Brisbane and Ipswich passes through these valves every day, so this work is critical to the ongoing supply of safe drinking water for the region.

“This work demonstrates our focus on investing in water infrastructure and the longevity of the SEQ Water Grid.”

Minister Butcher said Seqwater will carry out the first stage of the work this weekend, where a trial will be carried out which will involve temporarily isolating the pipes to carry out network checks to help plan the works.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer, Neil Brennan, said Seqwater and Urban Utilities were working together to ensure water supply was maintained during the trial and valve replacement works.

“On average, around 400 million litres of water flows through the pipes at Barnes Hill every day,” Mr Brennan said.

“We’ll be working with Urban Utilities to supply water from other parts of the network to minimise impacts for residents and businesses.”

Urban Utilities spokesperson, Michelle Cull, said some properties in Brisbane and Ipswich may experience reduced or low water pressure during the trial and valve replacement works.

“It is also possible customers in some suburbs may notice their water has a different taste or smell as they will receive water from supply locations they don’t typically get water from during the trial and valve replacement works,” Ms Cull said.

“These changes will be temporary, and the water remains safe to drink.”

No homes or businesses should experience a loss of water during the trial or the valve replacement works.

Following the trial, a date will be set for the valve replacement project in July.

For more information and the list of suburbs that may see potential impacts visit www.seqwater.com.au/project/barnes-hill or www.urbanutilities.com.au/BarnesHill

If residents or businesses experience any issues with their water supply, they can contact Urban Utilities Faults and Emergencies on 13 23 64.

This work is being undertaken to prepare for the replacement of the valves at a later date - further notification will be issued when a date for this work is set.

To prepare for the trial pipeline isolation, temporary scaffolding and lighting will be set up close to the pipeline, within the easement, on or near your property. This work will commence from the week starting Monday 31 May 2021.

On the afternoon and night of Saturday 5 June water will be released from valves along the pipeline. Valves, known as scour valves, are located at low points in the pipelines and often flow onto the land into natural gullies, waterways, or drains. Environmental controls are in place to minimise impacts to the local environment, plants and animals.

This work is scheduled to take place during the night, when water usage is at its lowest levels. There are no anticipated water supply disruptions.

Once the release of water from the pipeline commences, water will be directed into the existing water course near your property.

What to expect:

• Seqwater employees and contractors will be in the area and if applicable, working and accessing the easement on your property.
• Temporary lighting and scaffolding in the easement to ensure safety for work crews.
• Preparation work hours will be between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
• For the isolation, work crews will be onsite from 2pm Saturday 5 June until midday Sunday 6 June, working through the night.
• Background noise and lights from machinery.
• Water draining across nearby land into the existing draining system.
• This work will not disrupt your water supply.

If you have any concerns about this work, please contact the project manager during business hours on 07 3437 4107 or email [email protected].