Yellow Pinch Water Treatment Plant project

Project typeWater and Sewer
Project value$33 million
Project scheduleIn Progress

Project Summary/background

The Yellow Pinch Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is a major infrastructure project designed to improve long-term drinking water quality and supply reliability to the southern part of the Bega Valley Shire.

The project will construct a new water treatment plant connected to the Tantawangalo–Kiah drinking water supply network.

Currently, gas chlorination of raw water is the only treatment used within this network for water supplied to the towns of Merimbula, Tura Beach, Pambula Beach, Pambula and Eden, and the villages of Wolumla, Candelo and South Pambula, and to some rural properties with a connection to a trunk main. This existing treatment system has limited capacity to manage changing water quality, especially during wet weather and following bushfire events.

A new WTP will deliver modern, multi-barrier water treatment to meet Australian Drinking Water Guideline (ADWG) limits and NSW Health-based targets. This will combine chemical treatment with filtration, leading to significantly improved water quality that supports future population growth and increases resilience to climate variability. Its location near Yellow Pinch Dam will provide a secure, gravity-fed water source for many southern communities, reducing energy use and ongoing operational costs.

This project continues Council’s strategic investment in resilient water infrastructure, following recent upgrades in the northern parts of the shire.

Purpose

The purpose of the Yellow Pinch Water Treatment Plant project is to:

Provide high-quality drinking water that consistently meets ADWG and NSW Health-based targets
Manage raw water quality risks associated with the Tantawanglo-Kiah Water Supply System
Improve taste, odour and overall water aesthetics for customers
Ensure the water network can meet future demand as our communities grow
Increase resilience to climate extremes such as drought or high-sediment storm events
Reduce reliance on pumping and improve operational efficiency through the selected site’s elevation and proximity to the dam.

Funding

The project is estimated to cost approximately $33 million.

It will be funded primarily through Council’s Water Fund, with Council seeking 25% co-funding through the NSW Safe and Secure Water Program. Additional external grants are being pursued to further reduce costs for the community.

Connection to Council's Community Strategic Plan

This project aligns with Bega Valley Shire Council Community Strategic Plan through:

Our infrastructure meets community needs.
D.1 Plan and provide for waste, water, sewerage and stormwater infrastructure and services that will meet current and future needs
Our air and water are clean, and our natural environment and rural landscapes are protected.
C.1 Deliver and support integrated water management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will the treatment plant be located?

Subject to planning approval, the WTP will be built at 43 Red Gum Road, Yellow Pinch, an existing Council water supply site located close to Yellow Pinch Dam. The site was selected after detailed environmental and engineering assessments found it could support the required infrastructure while limiting vegetation impacts and reducing the need for additional pumping.

How can I stay updated?

Council will provide updates through our website, our Facebook page, and future engagement activities.

When would the new treatment plant be built?

The project is currently in the planning and approvals phase. Construction timeframes depend on securing external funding and completing detailed design. The targeted completion date is 2029, with commissioning expected by 2030.

Why is a new treatment plant needed?

The current system relies solely on chlorination, which is not sufficient to manage increased turbidity, colour and organic matter during heavy rain or bushfire recovery. These conditions affect drinking water safety and aesthetics. The new plant will introduce multi-barrier treatment and filtration, improving reliability and customer satisfaction, even during wet periods.

Who will deliver the project?

Bega Valley Shire Council will oversee the Yellow Pinch Water Treatment Plant project. A qualified contractor, selected through a tender process, will carry out the construction.

What will make this Water Treatment Plant a valuable asset for the southern townships?

This facility will be the first multi-barrier water treatment plant serving the southern Bega Valley network, significantly improving the reliability and safety of the region’s drinking water. Its design incorporates sustainable operational principles, including the use of gravity-fed supply wherever possible to reduce energy demand and ongoing operational costs. Importantly, the plant increases drought resilience and future-proofs water quality for growing communities, ensuring a secure and high-quality water supply well into the future.

Will there be environmental impacts?

A full environmental assessment is being undertaken as part of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF). The site was selected to minimise impacts on native vegetation and utilise previously disturbed areas. Modern treatment plants are designed to operate efficiently and minimise environmental impacts.

What treatment process will be used?

Along with chemical treatment, the preferred process is Dissolved Air Flotation and Filtration (DAFF) with upstream powdered activated carbon (PAC) dosing. This process was selected because it is effective during algal events and post-bushfire conditions, is straightforward to operate and maintain, and provides robust multi-barrier treatment.