Demand surge to test Geelong’s water supply

THE Geelong region could need an extra 55 billion litres of water every year within the next 50 years as population growth and drier conditions place increasing pressure on existing supplies.

Barwon Water says demand is expected to more than double by 2050, while some of the lowest inflows in decades have driven storage levels to their lowest point since the Millennium Drought.

Water storages have fallen from 82.4 per cent at the end of 2023 to 46.5 per cent at the end of 2025, prompting Barwon Water to investigate a range of measures to secure future supplies.

Even with access to the Melbourne-Geelong Pipeline, which can supply up to 60 per cent of peak demand, Barwon Water is exploring new ways to reduce consumption and increase supply.

Potential options include expanding the water grid, introducing new water-saving technologies, increasing demand management programs and developing new sources such as desalinated water, purified recycled water and harvested stormwater.

Barwon Water is now preparing its 2027 Urban Water Strategy, which will guide investment and water security planning over the coming decade.

 

Like all urban water authorities, Barwon Water revisits the strategy every five years, and is seeking feedback from the public.

General manager of planning, delivery and environment Seamus Butcher said the strategy would help determine the best mix of projects and initiatives needed to support the region’s future growth.

“We are keen to understand the community’s preferences and views of the various approaches available to securing water supplies over the coming decades,” Butcher said.

“The public’s input will help us make decisions about where to invest and what to prioritise, so we can deliver for our customers, communities, Traditional Owners and the environment.

“At Barwon Water, we know that by listening to our communities and partnering strategically, we will find the way forward.”

Submissions close in September. A draft strategy will then be released for further consultation before the final document is completed in mid-2027.

For more information, head to barwonwater.vic.gov.au