Water Main Replacement Program

Goulburn Valley Water has an ongoing program to replace ageing water pipelines that are susceptible to ground movement and cracks, leading to leaks.

Water pipeline replacement is necessary to ensure a reliable supply of water to customers and a high level of service. Determining which mains are due for replacement is done by looking at the condition of the pipeline and its history of failures. Usually, replacement is triggered if the main experiences three failures in 12 months.

The program is part of our five year Water Plan outlined to the Essential Services Commission. More than $13 million will be spent upgrading water mains during the 2023-28 period. 

Works can take 3-8 weeks to complete, depending on the length of pipe and the complexity of the job. During this time there are only very short periods (usually about two hours) when customers’ supply can be interrupted, usually when the new pipeline is being commissioned.

Fair Street pipeline replacement project March-April 2025

The water supply pipeline along Fair Street Shepparton will be replaced between 11 March and 13 April 2025. The works will take 2-4 weeks.

The water supply pipeline is located under the nature strip and during the replacement works the road and footpaths will be closed between 7.00am and 6.00pm on week days.

We will need all vehicles to be moved from the street during working hours. Local residents will be able to access their home by foot during these times.

Pipe rehabilitation trial

We are trialling a new product to safely treat the old pipeline in Fair Street as we replace and rehabilitate it.

The existing pipeline is made from asbestos cement, which was commonly used to build pipes before 1950. The pipeline safely transports water when it is in the ground but when it is being removed, broken pipeline can be hazardous as it can dry out away from the surrounding soil and there is a risk of asbestos fibres entering the atmosphere.

The new product we are trialling will hold all the broken pipeline in place so it does not cause any harm to workers or residents. The water supply pipeline located under the nature strip, will be isolated during the works, so that the surrounding area is kept safe.

Staff working on the site will be dressed in protective equipment. This a precaution to make sure everyone is kept safe. The work team will be doing daily air testing to make sure the site and surrounding area remains safe.

The works are being conducted by lead contractor Ashworth Demolition. They will work with our staff and be supported by Rankin Plumbing, R&R McClure Excavations and WSP to replace and rehabilitate the pipe and monitor the area for safety.

 Worksafe, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Greater Shepparton City Council have all been notified that the replacement trail is taking place. Worksafe is in the process of approving the works to be undertaken.

The product being trialled is called EncapsulAC. 

What to do if you are affected by works

All residents and property owners along, or near Fair Street, will be contacted by project staff in person and/or by letter to let them know about the works.

During the works we may need to access properties around the worksite to set up a temporary water supply. If property access is needed to do this, someone from Goulburn Valley Water will make sure residents are notified in writing. We will also attempt to notify residents in person before the supply is switched over. Water supply changeover takes about 15-20 minutes, and we will need to turn off supply briefly to do this. Residents don't need to be at home , but we do ask them to make sure there is clear access to the water meter.

Following the construction of the new water pipeline, water service connections will be transferred across to the new pipeline and the work site will be reinstated.

There will be some traffic interruptions around Fair Street as the works progress. We will information on detours on this page, and through social media.

Works progress updates

We will provide regular updates as the project progresses.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the works:

• We can visit you in person - to arrange for someone to visit you, please call Steve Nash on 0409 406 938.
• You can phone our Customer Service Centre on 1800 45 45 00

We will be sending out regular SMS updates – to register your mobile number to receive messages please email gvwcommunications@gvwater.vic.gov.au