Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme celebrates 60 years

This year marks 60 years since people living in the Great Southern region could turn on a tap and benefit from a secure water supply scheme for the first time. 

Water Corporation Great Southern Regional Manager, Adrian Stewart said the delivery of a reliable water supply to 44 towns and rural properties in the area, contributed to the establishment and growth of many thriving communities.

“A secure water supply is central to many regional communities, it was back then in 1958, and still continues to be so to this day,” Mr Stewart said.

“One of the main drivers of the Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme (GSTWSS) was the need to provide the region with a more reliable water supply, in the drier, hotter months.”

Mr Stewart said Water Corporation still continuously improved the scheme to keep pace with increasing demand for water in the region, as the population grew.

“60 years on and we have changed a lot within the scheme to ensure the water we supply continues to be high quality and reliable in the face of climate change,” Mr Stewart said.

In 1992, the Harris River Dam was built in Collie and became the primary source of water supplying the GSTWSS, which is still the case today. Water is pumped through 3240 km of water mains through 17 pump stations located around the region.

More recently, work was completed on an eight kilometre pipeline to connect the Harris River Dam to the State’s largest scheme - the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS) so water can be supplemented from the IWSS when needed.

Did you know?

• The Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme services 44 towns in the upper Great Southern including Boddington, Brookton, Kojonup, Katanning, Hyden, Newdegate and Gnowangerup.

• Last year Water Corporation supplied around 6.7 billion litres of drinking water to customers via the GSTWSS.