Water Pipeline Replacement: Goldenfields Water County Council
Ageing pipelines rarely fail all at once. They leak, they break, they get repaired, and eventually the repairs stop making sense. That was the position Goldenfields Water County Council faced near Wyalong, New South Wales, where two pipeline sections laid in the 1930s had deteriorated through corrosion. The council completed a water pipeline replacement in 2009 using 20 km of TYTON ductile iron cement lined (DICL) pipe supplied by Viadux. The new pipelines secure about 7 megalitres (ML) of water a day for West Wyalong, Ungarie and Girral.
Project at a glance
• Client: Goldenfields Water County Council
• Location: Wyalong, NSW
• Scope: Replacement of two pipeline sections: Reefton to Barmedman, and Yiddah to Wyalong
• Pipe supplied: 20 km of TYTON DICL pipe (10 km DN375 PN35 and 10 km DN300 PN35), plus SUREFLOW ductile iron fittings
• Timeline: Deliveries commenced June 2009; project completed August 2009
• Pipe laying: Redline Contracting
Table of Contents
• The Problem: Two Pipelines at the End of Their Life
• Why Water Pipeline Replacement With Ductile Iron
• Old Pipelines Versus the Replacement
• What Was Supplied, Step by Step
• The Outcome: Secure Supply for Three Towns
• What This Means for Other Regional Water Networks
• Questions About This Project
The Problem: Two Pipelines at the End of Their Life
The two pipelines move water from the Murrumbidgee River to Temora and Wyalong. Both dated from the 1930s. One was built from unlined mild steel and the other from cement lined cast iron. Over the decades, corrosion took its toll on both.
The result was numerous leaks and breakages. Each failure reduced the efficiency of the system and made it harder for Goldenfields to run a sustainable supply. For a regional network that serves several towns, a pipeline that cannot be relied on is a pipeline that needs to be replaced.
Why Water Pipeline Replacement With Ductile Iron
Goldenfields needed pipe that could carry more water and handle higher pressure than the infrastructure it was replacing. Viadux supplied modern TYTON ductile iron pipe with a cement lining, matched with SUREFLOW ductile iron fittings including bends, tees, valves and couplings.
Ductile iron pressure pipe for Australian water networks is manufactured toAS/NZS 2280, and it is widely specified for water mains where strength and long service life matter. You can see the full range on the Viadux ductile iron pipe pages, includingductile iron water products.
Old Pipelines Versus the Replacement
• Original Pipelines (1930s): Unlined mild steel and cement lined cast iron. Extensive corrosion, numerous leaks and breakages. Designed for original 1930s supply.
• Replacement (2009): TYTON ductile iron cement lined (DICL) pipe with new pipe and SUREFLOW fittings. Designed for greater flow capacity and higher pressure tolerance.
What Was Supplied, Step by Step
1. Reefton to Barmedman: 10 km of TYTON DN375 PN35 DICL pipe.
2. Yiddah to Wyalong: 10 km of TYTON DN300 PN35 DICL pipe.
3. Fittings: SUREFLOW ductile iron bends, tees, valves and couplings to complete both lines.
4. Delivery and Installation: Deliveries began in June 2009 and Redline Contracting laid the pipe, with the project completed in August 2009.
Planning a pipeline replacement of your own?Talk to the Viadux team about TYTON ductile iron pipe and SUREFLOW fittings for your project.
The Outcome: Secure Supply for Three Towns
The replacement secures about 7 ML of water a day to West Wyalong, Ungarie and Girral. Because the new pipelines were designed for greater flow capacity, they also leave room for future growth across the Goldenfields supply area.
Goldenfields Water County Council's Wyalong project is one of several regional pipeline projects Viadux has supplied. Related examples include the Eyre Peninsula Pipeline in South Australia, and you can browse more civil, industrial and irrigation projects on the Viadux case studies page.
What This Means for Other Regional Water Networks
The Goldenfields project follows a pattern that many regional councils and water utilities will recognise. A pipeline installed decades ago was built for the demand of its time. As corrosion sets in, leaks and breakages become more frequent, and the question shifts from how to repair the line to whether the line should be replaced.
When a network reaches that point, a few questions are worth asking early:
• Which sections have the most recorded leaks and breakages?
• Does the replacement need greater flow capacity or higher pressure tolerance than the original line?
• Which towns and customers depend on each section, and how much supply do they need now and in future?
• Can pipe, fittings and valves be sourced from one supplier so they are designed to work together?
At Goldenfields, answering those questions led to a clear scope: two sections, matched pipe sizes, and a full set of fittings supplied alongside the pipe.
Questions About This Project
What pipe did Viadux supply to Goldenfields Water County Council?
Viadux supplied 20 km of TYTON ductile iron cement lined pipe: 10 km of DN375 PN35 and 10 km of DN300 PN35. SUREFLOW ductile iron fittings, including bends, tees, valves and couplings, were supplied with it.
Where is the Goldenfields pipeline replacement?
The two pipeline sections are near Wyalong, NSW. One runs from Reefton to Barmedman and the other from Yiddah to Wyalong. They carry water from the Murrumbidgee River to Temora and Wyalong.
How much water does the new pipeline secure?
The replacement secures about 7 ML of water a day to West Wyalong, Ungarie and Girral.
Why were the original pipelines replaced?
The 1930s pipelines were made from unlined mild steel and cement lined cast iron. Extensive corrosion had caused numerous leaks and breakages, which reduced the efficiency and sustainability of the supply.
Speak with Viadux about your next pipeline
If your network has ageing mains and rising repair costs, the Goldenfields project shows what a planned replacement can achieve. Contact your nearest Viadux branch through the locations page to discuss ductile iron pipe supply for your next water project.