The first 10 kilometres of the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme’s (NAIS) 29 kilometre transfer pipeline will be installed underground this month.

Since April workers have been building the pipeline, which will carry high-quality, climate-independent recycled water from SA Water’s Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant, irrigating a new horticultural precinct north of the Gawler River.

Once complete, the NAIS will provide for an additional 12GL of water to help develop up to 300ha of new export focussed horticulture production, adding $578 million to the state’s economy each year and creating 3,700 jobs.

Water Industry Alliance Principal Member RPC Pipe Systems has brought on 30 extra staff at its Lonsdale factory to help the existing team of 74 to manufacture the order for DN675 diameter glass reinforced plastic (GRP) Flowtite® pipes and associated GRP fittings.

“RPC Pipe Systems is proud to have been an integral part of this significant milestone project where the asset owner, contractor, distributor and manufacturing plant are working together to deliver a great outcome for the people of South Australia,” RPC Managing Director Tony Caristo said.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said the $155.6 million project is on track to deliver first water to customers in late 2019.

“The new State Liberal Government is delivering on its strong plan to grow South Australia’s exports to bring more dollars and jobs into this state,” he said. “This project will help achieve that goal by creating 300 hectares of high-tech horticulture production that will feed key export markets interstate and overseas.

“This project also compliments our GlobeLink plan to grow our export economy by connecting South Australian businesses to new, lucrative markets interstate and overseas.

“Supporting smart infrastructure projects like the NAIS creates construction jobs, and develops new growth industries that will generate more jobs for South Australians, well into the future.”

The NAIS is jointly funded by the Australian Government through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, the South Australian Government through SA Water, as well as customer capital contributions and water charges.

The project is supporting 150 manufacturing and construction jobs in Adelaide’s northern and southern suburbs and will continue to create new employment opportunities as the scheme’s other elements move into delivery phases.

Construction will commence at Bolivar next month on the new Advanced Water Recycling Plant that will treat and clean 12 gigalitres of water for supply through the system. In October, workers will start shaping two 200 megalitre lined above-ground earth bank storages and a new pump station in Korunye, near Two Wells.

Water through the NAIS will be suitable for horticulture, floriculture, fruit and nut orchards, table and wine grapes, high-value broad-acre cropping, poultry and other intensive animal husbandry, and aquaculture.

Two competitive tender rounds confirmed strong demand for NAIS water, with SA Water and Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) working with shortlisted proponents to finalise water contracts, as well as continuing to support others to further develop their proposals.

Further information about the NAIS is available at sawater.com.au/NAIS