So a pipeline and dam project begun which delivered and still does deliver potable water to communities in Western Ausralia's Eastern Goldfields, particularly Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie.
The project was commissioned in 1896 and was completed in 1903.
The pipeline continues to operate today, supplying water to over 100,000 people in over 33,000 households as well as mines, farms and other enterprises.
There was of course political upheaval, and more information to be found at this link [here] .
557klm is approximately how long the pipe is from Perth WA to Kalgoorlie. We followed this pipe for many klm.
An incredible engineering feat. The link as given is very informative for readers.
ReplyDeleteSad to think that the engineer O'Connor was driven to despair, resulting in suicide.
The maintenance attached to the up-keep of the pipe must be a job of major importance
and I suppose vigilance for leakages etc.
Great report Margaret.
Cheers
Shank's pony, the senior one.
Must have been horrific for the engineer...
DeleteThanks Colin :)
Water is still more precious than gold in much of Australia. And the world.
ReplyDeleteIt was an incredible job, and I wonder whether we could recreate it today. Not without a lot of fuss and argey-bargey (and budget and time over runs I don't think).
We can live without gold, but we can't live without water.
DeleteIt certainly could be done today, but it would take years...too much red tape! What a pity.
Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! Why can't we build more of these and bring Queensland's annual floodwaters to other needier states? Think of the possibilities! jobs for those willing to work on construction, water for the interior so people don't have to cluster along the coast line....
ReplyDelete"EC and River"
DeleteWe can but hope that something with water will one day be done here for the benefit of all.
Great possibilities just sit to be done. Some people have closed eyes to progress.
Cheers
Colin (Shank's senior)
There is ample water up at the Argyle River...
DeleteAlso we followed a water pipe in South Australia for some distance....
My brother R worked on the SA waterpipe, he was 15 when he got the job and left home to move with the camp as the pipe progressed. 46 years later he is still working in concrete construction sites whenever work is available, but slowing down to retire in a couple of years.
DeleteThat's very interesting River. Your brother would know heaps about the water pipes and how they work...
DeleteIt was an amazing engineering feat. It would be good to see more of them.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly would...we live in hope of seeing more water pipes in many areas..
DeleteThat's quite a pipe and interesting that it runs right along the road. I'm wondering if accidents don't occur that would rupture it when someone swerves off the road. Can't imagine what it was like to be a miner in those early days, before the pipeline was built.
ReplyDeleteI bet it would cause a nasty accident if someone did hit the pipe. As for the water, if a weld was hit it might spring a leak, the pipe is very thick.
DeleteWell the miners back in those days died due to lack of water. It was no doubt carried to the area by some who survived but was certainly 'the' issue at that time.
Australia seems to have lost its ability to build anything large and useful to community. It has now been replaced by an underground pipe, but there is also a similar pipe delivering water to Darwin from the south but as it was above ground and in the sun and high ambient temperature, it delivered rather hot water.
ReplyDeleteSome of the water pipes are underground some of the way in various areas we have travelled.
DeleteWater in Darwin is always warm, it tastes alright.
The tasks of getting services to the vast outlying areas of Australia must be mind boggling to achieve.
ReplyDeleteA long journey Rosemary and lonely one...
Deleteit's a good thing we have such things in modern times. While sometimes they don't seem so amazing, they do end up saving lives long before anyone was in trouble
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a good thing Adam. You are spot on too.
DeleteThe importance of water oft seems forgotten by our leaders. I've read some shocking things recently about big companies buying water sources and effecting those who would usually benefit from it downstream. I've even heard that these same big companies have lobbied against the wording of the International Bill of Human Rights to not include water as a 'basic human right'!! This pipeline is certainly an incredible salute to the engineers and workers who constructed it.
ReplyDeleteOh my....that's interesting what you say. Water, we can't live without it...
DeleteI find the story of this pipeline AMAZING! It's interesting how Kalgoorlie wouldn't actually exist as we know it today without the pipeline - and it's one of Australia's great works of engineering! Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteMarvellous what was done years ago.
DeleteThe amazing story of the construction of this pipeline. Thank you for this information !!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
You are welcome..
DeleteBem diferente seu blog,eu adorei.
ReplyDeleteBjs e uma ótima semana.
Carmen Lúcia.
Thank you.
DeleteThis has just reminded me of something I've not thought about in ages and ages. When we were kids we'd go by train between Gympie and Mackay to visit our uncle and his family. We were always fascinated by the lengthy pipe line that ran for miles (as they were then) up along the way. I'd not thought about that in such a long time.
ReplyDeleteMust remember to look when we travel up that way next year. Sometimes seeing what others posts remind us of what still is and was :)
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