The South Australian Government has announced that the $17.1 million project to upgrade and expand the drinking water supply in Adelaide’s north has begun.

State Water Minister, Ian Hunter, said that the project twill ensure that sufficient water is made available in the Balaklava and Port Wakefield to support industry and mining while catering for future residential needs.

The scheme will see SA Water deliver a 43 kilometre pipeline from the existing upper Wakefield storage tank to Port Wakefield via Balaklava and Bowmans.

“The Port Wakefield Water Supply Upgrade Project will go a long way towards ensuring the sustainability of the Wakefield Region by providing an improved and secure water supply,” said Mr Hunter.

“The upgraded supply will be instrumental in catering for future residential and industrial growth in Port Wakefield and Balaklava and accommodate commercial development at Bowmans Industrial Estate.”

“Securing the water supply delivers a number of benefits to the local area, especially in terms of job creation during construction as well as industry and mining operations.”