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We've commenced the first stage of a major ten-year-plus program to renew and upgrade the water treatment and storage facilities that are critical to delivering drinking water and managing wastewater from sinks, toilets and drains in our towns and suburbs.
With an estimated value of $40 million, stage one of the Water Treatment and Storage Upgrade Program has a four-year delivery timeframe and will include high priority projects across our region.
Check-in regularly and stay up to date with projects underway or coming soon. Or 'follow' this page for updates delivered directly to your inbox.
We're committed to ensuring our water treatment and storage facilities are not only meeting your needs today... but have the capacity and reliability to meet added demand from our growing population and withstand the challenges of a changing climate.
As a water corporation our two main jobs are, to treat and deliver trusted drinking water to our customers, and to safely take that water away from our homes and business once it’s been used for treatment and processing.
We do this with the help of some smart people and some very impressive facilities and technology.
This is where water from our reservoirs, rivers, and other water sources is treated to become drinking water.
We supply more than 22,256 megalitres of drinking water to over 180,000 customers a year.
Take the Bendigo Water Treatment Plant tour below.
You may have heard the term Wastewater Treatment Plant in the past, but these are the plants that receive the water flushed down toilets and drains for processing and treatment.
These plants are deliberately called Water Reclamation Plants, as in our changing and drying climate, we’re committed to giving a second life to our precious water resources in the form of recycled water and biosolids.
Take the Water Reclamation Plant tour below.
Project: Cohuna Water Reclamation Plant Upgrade
Location: Cohuna
Status: Planning
What: We’re planning critical plant upgrades to increase its capacity and keep pace with future population growth in this region.
A new lagoon is planned for construction south of the plant, near Chuggs Road. A new pump station and supporting pipework will also be built and maintenance done on two of the four existing lagoons.
Read more about the project here.
Timeline: Due to begin in 2026
Project: Cohuna Water Treatment Plant Upgrade
Location: Cohuna
Status: Planning
What: We’ll be installing a new pump station and supporting pipework. The treatment capacity of the plant will also be boosted by installing a new ultraviolet water disinfection system and a Powdered Activated Carbon system.
Timeline: Due to begin in 2026
Project: Axedale Water Reclamation Plant Upgrade
Location: Axedale
Status: Planning
What: Plans are underway to upgrade key components of the plant, providing increased capacity and water security for the region.
A new pump station will also be installed, delivering recycled water to nearby customers including Axedale Golf Course.
Timeline: Due to begin in 2026
Project: Echuca Water Treatment Plant Upgrade
Location: Echuca
Status: Planning
What: We’re completing plans that will see a series of new treatment process upgrades added to the plant, boosting its capacity and the water security for this growing region. Maintenance of key assets such as buildings and roads is also planned.
Timeline: Due to begin in 2025
Project: Malmsbury flood damage recovery
Location: Malmsbury
Status: Planning
What: We'll be repairing the Malmsbury Eastern Spillway after it was damaged in the floods of 2022.
Timeline: Due to begin in 2025
Project: Goornong Water Treatment Works
Location: Goornong
Status: Planning
What: We’re completing plans that will see a series of works in Goornong to ensure water security for this growing region.
Following our pipeline supply works, we will be installing additional water storage, decommissioning the existing water treatment plant, and installing booster chlorinators to ensure water quality.
Timeline: Due to begin in late 2026/early 2027.
Project: Chlorine Booster Program
Location: Guildford and Belvoir Park
Status: Planning
What: Starting at Guildford and Belvoir Park, we'll be installing booster chlorination sites across our water network, ensuring we continue to provide water of the highest quality to our customers.
Timeline: Due to begin in 2025
Project: Kalimna Basin Refurbishment
Location: Castlemaine
Status: Completed
What: We undertook maintenance work to refurbish this concrete water storage basin, boosting water security for Castlemaine and the surrounding area.
Timeline: Works were undertaken June-July 2025.
We are delighted to be working with five new delivery partners who will be responsible for different packages of works across both our drinking water treatment and sewer networks.
Guidera O’Connor Construction, Laurie Curran Water, and Filtec International will work on mechanical and electrical systems. Civil and Earth Australia and Leed Engineering and Construction will work on civil and earth works projects.
The long-term nature of these partnerships provides opportunity for contractors to establish local bases, utilise local suppliers and subcontractors, and employ locally.
This project adds to a legacy of water and sewerage infrastructure that was first created by leaders in our community during the goldrush.
When these visionaries built our early water and sewer networks, they did so to protect the health and wellbeing of locals, and to create the thriving cities and towns we live in now.
Our purpose remains the same today, to deliver services for public health and environmental benefit.
With more people in new suburbs, a growing number of infill residential developments, and the need to support economic development, industry, and jobs, it's critical we invest to replace ageing infrastructure and build new infrastructure to meet our future needs.
As a customer-funded business, we're investing wisely the money our customers pay us through their bills to future-proof the water and sewage networks we all rely on.
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We acknowledge and respect Victoria Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria's land and waters, their unique ability to care for country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to being a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTIQA+ communities and their families.
1300 363 200
Email coliban@coliban.com.au
National relay service 133 677 then ask for 1300 363 200
