Inverell Shire Council has endorsed the renewal of all asbestos cement water mains in Yetman, after years of breaks and losses in the village’s water network.
The Yetman Water Supply Scheme services 68 water connections and operates under a licence allowing an annual extraction volume of 35 megalitres.
The existing reticulation system was built in 1968 and is predominantly made up of asbestos cement pipework, with operational records showing 43 recorded main breaks over the past four financial years. Water main breaks and associated losses have contributed to higher overall water use, with losses in 2023/24 equating to 49 per cent of total water produced.
The works will involve constructing new PVC water mains to replace the original asbestos cement mains, and will also improve water circulation, flow and quality throughout the village.
Mayor of Inverell Shire Cr Kate Dight said the renewal would deliver important long-term benefits for the Yetman community.
“This project is a practical and necessary investment in the reliability of Yetman’s water supply.”
“By replacing ageing mains, Council can reduce water losses, minimise future service interruptions and improve the overall performance of the network for residents and businesses,” Cr Dight said.
The project is estimated to cost $485,853 and will be funded from Council’s Water Fund reserves.
Works will be delivered in-house and are expected to take approximately 10 weeks, weather permitting. Council will notify residents and affected property owners prior to any planned water supply interruptions during the connection of individual services to the new mains.
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