Allen Reservoir works continue

A $4.2 MILLION upgrade of Allen Reservoir, designed to help secure Lorne’s water supply in the future, is progressing well with the project expected to be completed in May.

The 186 million litre reservoir, built in 1958, is Lorne’s sole water source of drinking water.

The upgrade will increase the reservoir’s flood level capacity, strengthen the dam wall and reduce the risk of infrastructure failures.

Barwon Water has so far removed unsuitable material in the embankment crest, and has also raised the crest with new material.

Preparation works to start upgrading the spillway have also been completed.

Increased truck movements are expected with work to pour the new concrete spillway under way.

Concrete trucks will be travelling along Otway Street, Allenvale Road and Greenbreak Track one to two days a week from 5.30am to noon, with trucks will spaced about 20 minutes apart. The increased truck traffic should finish by early April.

While water supplies will not be disrupted during the project, customers may have noticed Lorne’s reported storage level decreasing sharply over the past month. This is due to the water level in the reservoir being lowered to allow construction work to be completed.

Barwon Water general manager of infrastructure services Paul Northey assured Lorne residents and visitors that the work was timed to minimise impact to Lorne’s water security, as it was taking place after the summer tourist influx and before the winter/spring water harvesting period.

He said the Allen Reservoir upgrade was an example of Barwon Water’s commitment in its Strategy 2030 to delivery high quality, affordable and reliable water services in the Barwon region, with a secure supply vital to Lorne’s liveability, jobs and tourism.