Water Carting to start in Mansfield

5 January 2007

Goulburn Valley Water announced today that the Authority has awarded a contract to Tatura Milk Industries (TMI) for the carting of water from Alexandra to the water treatment plant in Mansfield, commencing Thursday 11 January 2007. This will enable the Authority to keep the Mansfield standpipe open.

Goulburn Valley Water’s Acting Chief Executive, Mr Allen Gale said that the Authority had sought quotations for carting approximately one million litres of water per week to Mansfield from Alexandra.  “TMI will be delivering seven loads per day during the week, using a semi-trailer. At this stage it is not anticipated that deliveries will take place over the weekends.”

“The water will be delivered to our Mansfield water treatment plant and go through a full treatment process, prior to being available for water carters from the standpipe” said Mr Gale.

“This will assist the rural community, because the cost, although higher than initially anticipated, is still significantly lower than the cost for carting from Alexandra by the small tankers used by Mansfield water carters.” said Mr Gale.  “The cost to the Authority, including pump hire costs and carting will be $150 per 10,000 litres and will be passed on to the Mansfield water carters.”

Mr Gale said that the cost is at least $50 per 10,000 litres cheaper than it would be for the Mansfield carters.

“Low income households can get assistance for water carting costs from the Department of Human Services (DHS) under the Non-Mains Water Concession program, said Mr Gale.  “The carted water rebate is designed to assist low income households with the cost of carting water to fill domestic rainwater tanks, for more information contact DHS on Free Call 1800 658 521.

Mr Gale reiterated that this water is to be used for in-house use only and is not to be used on gardens.   “If we discover that water carters’ customers are using the water for gardens then we will not allow any more deliveries to that property by that water carter,” he said.  “if we discover that the property is continuing to use water on the garden and the water carter continues to deliver then the water carter will be restricted from the standpipe.”

Authorised By A. Gale 104-110 Fryers Street Shepparton