Project update - August 2024

Working safely around water bodies

Installing new infrastructure in rural areas comes with its own unique environmental challenges, one of which is how to navigate our work around the lifeblood of rural communities - water!

At West Dapto Package 3, we're installing over 10 kms of new wastewater pipes so it's inevitable that our alignment crosses various water bodies, including creeks and dams.

For creek crossings, our team has modified their construction methodology to ensure we tunnel under creeks. But for smaller bodies of water, where tunnelling is not a viable option, we need to trench through them.

Our crews are currently trenching through a small creek with great success. This success can be attributed to the planning and preparation that we do prior to working on or near waterways.

When installing new Sydney Water infrastructure, it is essential rural water bodies remain in-tact and are not permanently impacted by our work. And the way we do this is to: DAM, DE-WATER & DE-FISH, PUMP AROUND.

DAM - Step 1 is to create a dam to stop water entering our future construction area.

DE-WATER & DE-FISH - Step 2 is to remove water and call the ecologist to safely remove the fish. We have found some lovely freshwater fish, such as the native Striped Gudgeon. Once safely removed, we can commence working.

PUMP AROUND - Once work has commenced, it is essential we have pumps in place to continually move clean water around our work site. Our teams regularly check these pumps are working and that the water remains clear. In the event of heavy rainfall, and this year has been particularly wet, we ensure our work areas are covered to avoid sediment seeping into the water course.

As soon as our work is done, our crews meticulously re-instate the area to ensure ground levels match pre-construction levels and the flow path of the water body is stabilised.

Protecting rural waterways is essential, even as we make modern advancements. They support wildlife, provide clean water, and are vital for communities. Preserving them ensures a healthy environment for future generations.