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East Gippsland Water Media ReleaseProposal to decommission the Nicholson Dam By East Gippsland Water - 17th October 2011 - Back to News East Gippsland Water is proposing to decommission its redundant dam on the Nicholson River, in a move that would help restore the natural environment of the river and the surrounding catchment area.
The small 640ML dam was constructed in 1977 to supply drinking water to towns including Lakes Entrance. However, due to the quality of Nicholson River water (which became prohibitively expensive to treat), the unreliability of supply and difficulties in providing disinfection, customers were switched to the higher quality, more reliable Mitchell River water supply system in 2000. That year the dam was also removed from day-to-day service.
East Gippsland Water relinquished its water entitlement for the Nicholson River, and with no viable use for the dam, it is therefore seeking approval from the Minister for Water to initiate the decommissioning of the dam structure. The dam currently costs East Gippsland Water ratepayers in excess of $30,000 a year to maintain and will require more than $1.3 million to refurbish in the near future.
Said East Gippsland Water’s Managing Director, Les Mathieson: "Decommissioning the Nicholson Dam would mean our customers no longer having to bear the costs of this redundant asset. It would also add environmental benefits to the Nicholson River and restore connectivity to the internationally renowned Gippsland Lakes system into which the river ultimately flows."
The Corporation has been progressively releasing water from the dam, lowering water levels, as an initial step to help restore the natural regimen of the Nicholson River.
Ends
Ronan Carroll
Communications Manager
East Gippsland Water
P 03 5150 4434
M 0428 539 303
F 03 5150 4477
E rcarroll@egwater.vic.gov.au
W www.egwater.vic.gov.au
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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