VISIT TO WANNON WATER
John Harris, who has worked for Wannon Water for 42 years, provided and extremely interesting commentary and tour of the Wannon Water facilities in Grieve Street. He remembers Eric Williams being the bank manager involved in funding an upgrade all those years ago.
A brief history: The collecting of water began in 1876, brought up in buckets. 1893 was the next change – sludge pulled out with wheel barrows. In 1934 during the depression, the unemployed were used to help to build the Otway North pipeline. By 1976 the South Otway pipeline was built. Water from the Otways does not need pumping – gravity does the job. 1976 – 1984 there were complaints about dirty washing and the taste of the water. In 2004 a new section was built – the DAF (Dissolve Air Floatation) clarifier. We were taken outside and shown this. DAF brings sludge to the top so that it floats off. John said there are obvious signs of wear and tear in some parts. In the next 5 years an upgrade will be needed. The taste problem was overcome using powder activated carbon. The population has grown so much that plans need to be put in place to deal with future needs. 20 mega-litres are used daily now, but with growth 50 mega-litres will be needed.