Port Fairy, Portland and Heywood are all supplied with deep groundwater which is high in naturally occurring mineral salts. While the water is safe to drink and the supply is very reliable, many people find the taste is less palatable and this leads to reduced consumption.

When less tap water is consumed, people turn to alternatives such as bottled water or sugary drinks. The high salt content also leads to an increase in corrosion of equipment, fittings and appliances, which means that businesses and households often need to replace items such as shower heads, kettles and washing machines more often.

That’s why we're excited about the $52 million Quality Water for Wannon Program, which looks to improve the quality of water for Heywood, Portland and Port Fairy. This program is jointly funded by the Australian Government, through its National Water Grid Fund, and Wannon Water, who will deliver the project on behalf of its customers and the Victorian Government

We assessed multiple treatment options for all three towns in 2022. We concluded that adding filtration through reverse osmosis (RO) to the local groundwater is the preferred approach to reduce the saltiness to levels considered broadly palatable. Each option had strengths; however, the local treatment option via RO is the recommended approach based on all the assessment criteria.

This includes the lower costs involved for the project, the greater reliability of both water quality and water security, and less upstream impacts on the environment. It also means that treatment is centralised rather than spread across individual properties, improving ease of upkeep and maintenance. It also ensures the towns will remain on the most reliable water source in Victoria, the Dilwyn Aquifer, securing water for the towns into the future.

The water treatment plants in Portland, Port Fairy and Heywood will be upgraded by adding RO technology.

RO is a process that uses enormous amounts of pressure to force salty water through a membrane (a filter with microscopic holes). The salt molecules are generally too big to squeeze through the holes, but the water molecules are small enough to pass through. This leaves most of the salt on one side of the membrane and fresh water on the other side.

By reducing the amount of salt in the water supply below the taste threshold for most people (<300 ppm), we expect that the water will be at a level that is considered broadly palatable, and community members will be fully able to utilise water in the home and community.

Between February and April 2024, we held pop-ups to announce that we're moving ahead with the project. We also explained more about our plans, answered questions and addressed any concerns.

We'll be out again throughout 2025 in each town - be sure to come and have a chat if you have any questions or feedback.

Currently, the sites at Heywood, Port Fairy and Portland are undergoing ecological assessments. This will help ensure we're protecting and managing any local endangered plants and animals during the construction phase.

Surveys are conducted in spring or summer when animals are most active and plants are blossoming, making them easier to identify. These assessments must be conducted before any “on the ground” works can begin.

As part of the federal funding agreement, water quality improvements in all three towns need to be completed by 2029. We won’t have a specific timeline until the design and approvals are finalised.

You can find answers to the most commonly asked questions below.

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