What's happening at the Echuca Water Tower?
First constructed in 1915, the historic Echuca Water Tower remains an important part of the local water system today, delivering water pressure via gravity to the surrounding community.
Work on the façade of the tower began in 2024, with scaffolding and temporary fencing installed to ensure public safety.
Due to its age, we inspect the tower regularly to determine required maintenance and repairs. In October, we began additional work which included commissioning a structural assessment to guide longer term repairs and maintenance.
The structural assessment report indicates the tower remains stable and is currently operating within its structural capacity. However, there are signs of ongoing deterioration. We have obtained external independent engineering advice to inform our approach to managing the tower.
We are currently working on a series of projects to ensure community safety and the continuity of water supply in Echuca. As a result of this work, you may experience some minor variations in water pressure over the coming months.
The projects include:
- Adopting new operating protocols including reducing the volume of water held in the tower.
- Implementing new works and operational approaches across the network to ensure adequate water pressure.
- Working closely with Campaspe Shire Council, CFA, SES, and Victoria Police.
The future of the Echuca Water Tower
It is likely the tower may need to be demolished in the coming months.
This is disappointing given the history of the tower, however due to the results of the structural assessment and expected ongoing deterioration based on the tower's age we are prioritising and managing the tower's potential long-term safety risks.
We will continue to keep local residents, businesses and the community up to date as our plans progress.
Further information and the latest updates are available on our website or you can call us on 1300 363 200.
Read our latest works updates
We are currently working on a series of projects to ensure community safety and the continuity of water supply in Echuca. As a result, you may experience some minor variations in water pressure over the coming months.
The projects include:
- Adopting new operating protocols including reducing the volume of water held in the tower.
- Implementing new works and operational approaches across the network to ensure adequate water pressure.
- Working closely with Campaspe Shire Council, CFA, SES, and Victoria Police.
Work is continuing at the Echuca Water Tower since our last update to neighbours.
The shade cloth has been removed from around the tower as we prepare to complete the following work in the next two to three weeks.
- Patching and repairs to the rendered exterior.
- Further structural assessments and surveying to guide longer-term repairs and maintenance.
We will evaluate the ongoing need for scaffolding based on the results of these assessments. We expect the scaffolding to be be removed in the coming months.
Safety signage, additional fencing, and the temporary footpath around the tower will remain in place.
Every effort will be made to keep noise to a minimum.
There will be no interruption to your water supply.
Today we will begin removing the shade cloth attached to the scaffolding at the Echuca Water Tower. There will be additional fencing and a temporary footpath around the tower for pedestrians to use.
Additional safety signage is in place alerting the community to beware of any falling debris given the age of the tower.
As part of routine inspections last year, we identified loose material on the outside of the Echuca Water Tower requiring removal and repair.
Scaffolding has recently been erected on site so our team can safely carry out required work. Temporary fencing is in place to ensure public safety.
We are working closely with Campaspe Shire and communicating regularly with those in the surrounding area.
There is no impact to Echuca's drinking water supply.
The tower plays a critical role, providing water pressure via gravity to the surrounding water network in Echuca.
Repairs will be carried out carefully to ensure minimal change to the existing appearance of the tower.
First constructed in 1915, the water tower is a piece of historic infrastructure that requires continual inspections, maintenance, and repairs as it ages. We inspect the tower every six months.
More history about the tower can be found here.
Frequently asked questions
At 110 years old, the Echuca Water Tower receives regular inspections and maintenance to ensure it can continue to safely supply water pressure via gravity to the community.
As custodians of the tower, it is Coliban Water's responsibility to ensure the tower (built to different construction standards a century ago) can continue to offer the best and safest community outcomes as part of Echuca's water network.
The tower stores water at a height that achieves a consistent water pressure (head) of between 25 metres to 30 metres. It allows for 30 minutes of water security to the community if a failure was to happen.The Echuca Water Tower was designed by Sir John Monash. Construction commenced in July 1914 and was completed in March 1915 at a cost of £2,973.
A revolutionary design for its time, the tower was built using 646 tonnes of reinforced concrete by the firm Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Co Pty Ltd (founded by Sir John Monash).
Standing 108 feet high and holding more than 680,000 litres of water, it was originally connected to the steam-powered pumping plant at Echuca East and designed to bring tapped water to local homes.Sir John Monash (1865-1931) was an Australian civil engineer and military leader.
Widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest military commanders, he rose to become the highest-ranking officer in the Australian Army during World War 1.
After the war he had a distinguished civilian career, later becoming the manager of the Victorian State Electricity Commission where he was instrumental in developing Victoria's brown coal reserves, which led to the creation of the Yallourn Power Station.
The Echuca Water Tower was a notable early engineering project of Sir John Monash. Other engineering projects include Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, Princes Bridge, and Outer Circle railway line.Work on the façade of the tower began in 2024, with scaffolding and temporary fencing installed to ensure public safety.
Due to its age, we inspect the tower regularly to determine required maintenance and repairs. In October, we began additional works which included commissioning a structural assessment to guide longer term repairs and maintenance.
We are working with the Campaspe Shire Council and other agencies to ensure the safety of the community and the continued supply of drinking water for Echuca residents.
We will keep all neighbouring businesses and residents, and the local community, updated as we progress with any plans for the site.
We are monitoring weather each day and completing visual and structural assessments to keep a close watch on any changes at the site. Immediate action would be taken if changes are identified.
There is currently temporary fencing around the site to ensure public safety from any falling debris given the age of the water tower.
We have also reduced the amount of water being held in the tower and have projects to manage operational changes to take the tower offline.While we are keeping a close eye on the Echuca Water Tower, we encourage you to contact us if you notice any signs of cracks, fallen debris, or water leakage.
You can contact us directly on 1300 363 200 or contact emergency services on 000.
We use the AIIMS structure to manage emergencies effectively. This includes:
- Incident Manager: will lead the response and make key decisions.
- Planning: will assess the situation, predict impacts, and develop action plans.
- Operations: ensure network services are running correctly, and work towards restoring services.
- Logistics: support will be provided for personnel, equipment, and community needs.
- Public Information: clear, timely updates will be shared through official channels to keep the community informed.
| Across its region, Coliban Water manages infrastructure assets valued at $2.2 billion. Each year, we develop an Annual Works Plan and roll-out planned maintenance to this property, plant, and equipment. Our planned maintenance tasks are carefully developed and scheduled to regularly assess the condition of our assets, minimise the risk of failure, and maintain assets so they safely meet required levels of service. The Annual Works Plan also covers maintenance completed by our service partner, ServiceStream, across:
The Annual Works Plan is monitored and maintained through work order completion and planned maintenance feedback. |
You can keep up to date with any works happening at the tower on this page or via our website at coliban.com.au.
In 2023 a significant $10 million upgrade project at the Echuca Water Treatment Plant was completed.
The works included the installation of two steel water storage tanks able to hold 3.3 megalitres of water along with new pumps, a pump station, and a new ultraviolet water filtration system.
The completion of the four-year project has improved capacity, storage, and disinfection at the plant, whilst ensuring Echuca’s security of supply.
This investment has put us in a good position to manage treating and supplying water to Echuca residents if we need to take the Echuca Water Tower offline.
Additionally, we have some current projects across the network and operational approaches to ensure adequate water pressure when we take the tower offline.We have held interagency meetings with:
- Campaspe Shire Council
- DEECA
- Victoria Police
- SES
- CFA
- Echuca Regional Health
- Department of Transport
- Vic Roads
The history of the Echuca Water Tower
The Echuca Water Tower was designed by Sir John Monash. Construction commenced in July 1914 and was completed in March 1915 at a cost of £2,973.
A revolutionary design for its time, the tower was built using 646 tonnes of reinforced concrete by the firm Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Co Pty Ltd (founded by Sir John Monash).
Standing 108 feet high and holding more than 680,000 litres of water, it was originally connected to the steam-powered pumping plant at Echuca East and designed to bring tapped water to local homes.
Who was Sir John Monash?
Sir John Monash (1865-1931) was an Australian civil engineer and military leader.
Widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest military commanders, he rose to become the highest-ranking officer in the Australian Army during World War 1.
After the war he had a distinguished civilian career, later becoming the manager of the Victorian State Electricity Commission where he was instrumental in developing Victoria's brown coal reserves, which led to the creation of the Yallourn Power Station.
The Echuca Water Tower was a notable early engineering project of Sir John Monash. Other engineering projects include Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, Princes Bridge, and Outer Circle railway line.
