State Governments biggest water tank comes online in Ellenbrook

• 80 million litre tank will cater for growth in the north-east metropolitan corridor
• Will provide a more consistent water pressure for Ellenbrook residents 

Water Minister Dave Kelly today opened a new 80 million litre water tank in Ellenbrook, the largest tank ever to be built by State Government through the Water Corporation.

The tank is important new infrastructure for the growing north-east metropolitan corridor and will provide a more consistent water pressure for the Ellenbrook community.

Located just off Gnangara Road, the State Government project employed 235 Western Australian workers to carry out off-site fabrication work and construct the new tank.

Work included taking 1,300 cubic metres of concrete to lay the base of the 91 metre diameter tank, placing a total of 80, 2.9 metre-wide pre-made concrete panels, 13 concrete columns weighing in at 7.5 tonnes each, and the installation of the massive roof.

The panels and columns were locally made and transported from companies in Hazelmere and Ascot and the roof was made in a precast facility in Capel in the State's south-west.

Around six kilometres of water main was constructed out to Gnangara Road, connecting the tank to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme.  Last week the Minister opened the main valve on the tank, allowing water to flow into the scheme for the first time.

The State Government plans to build two more tanks at the site over the next 40 years, which will occur in stages as the population grows.

For more information, visit http://www.watercorporation.com.au/ellenbrooktank 

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"The new tank will improve the water supply to Ellenbrook and the rapidly growing north-east metropolitan corridor. 

"The tank is an impressive 91 metres in diameter, 13 metres high and with an 80 million litre capacity, holds enough water fill more than 35 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

"This McGowan Government project engaged local contractors throughout the fabrication and construction of the tank, with around 235 Western Australian workers employed on the project.

"This project is one of a number of projects that the McGowan Government is investing in to secure water supplies in the face of climate change."

Comments attributed to Swan Hills MLA Jessica Shaw:

"Throughout the election, Ellenbrook locals shared their stories with me about how they would lose all of their water pressure during peak usage periods.

"This is because the infrastructure in the area was only designed to service a couple of thousand properties; we're now closer to 15,000 homes.

"This new tank safeguards our community's water supply, and shows that the McGowan Labor Government is committed to the future of Ellenbrook, with projects like this and the Morley-Ellenbrook METRONET line."