A project to connect central north-west Victoria to the water grid has been completed.

Thousands of people should now have reliable stock and domestic water supply with the completion of the South West Loddon Pipeline project.

The pipeline provides secure reticulated water supply to more than 1,500 rural properties over 2,900 square kilometres surrounding Inglewood, Newbridge, St Arnaud and Wedderburn, for the first time.

The Victorian government says the project will reduce the regions’ reliance on water-carting during dry times.

The 1,300-kilometre South West Loddon Pipeline is part of the Victorian Government’s Water for Victoria plan.

The $88.9 million project was jointly funded by the Victorian Government ($40 million), Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and landowners ($28.9 million) and Australian Government ($20 million).