We're building a back-up water treatment plant in Mount Evelyn to provide greater water security into the future.
The new treatment plant will ensure that safe drinking water continues to be readily available to homes and businesses when we need it - even if we have to shut down the nearby Silvan Reservoir Water Treatment Plant for maintenance or an unexpected event.
To continue our vital work in safeguarding Melbourne’s water supply, Melbourne Water will soon commence works to construct a new back-up water treatment plant in Mount Evelyn.
Early works and site mobilisation are expected to commence in November 2024.
Please refer to the latest community bulletin below:
In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.
The Silvan Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant currently supply more than half of Melbourne's population with quality drinking water. And by 2030, more than six million Melburnians will need water every day.
The new Mount Evelyn Water Treatment Plant will maintain water supply if fires or power failures impact the Silvan Reservoir Water Treatment Plant and will also provide greater protection against storms.
The plant will consist of:
Fifty per cent of Melbourne’s water is from the Silvan Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant. Before it reaches our taps, it passes through parallel underground water mains from Silvan Reservoir to Mount Evelyn, before they branch off to multiple locations across Melbourne.
The location for the Mount Evelyn Water Treatment Plant was selected due to:
Investigations of the site assessed land, ecology, cultural heritage and soil quality. These surveys and reports were considered as part of the location selection.
In March 2024 we held two community information sessions to provide an opportunity to learn more about the project and ask the project team questions.
The following report outlines the questions you asked and the actions we are taking in response.
The following document provides answers to questions we've received from the community and may be updated with more information as the project progresses.
Don't see your question answered here? Email us at [email protected]
Tree removal on the northern side of the site is needed to install power lines and for construction works. Design changes made to the loop road and building size have reduced tree removal by 25%, from 89 to 66 trees. To view which trees will be removed, view the tree removal and trimming map below.
Mount Evelyn Water Treatment Plant - Tree removal and trimming map
Detailed design phase and submission of new planning permit application to Yarra Ranges Council.
Site mobilisation and early works begin.
Construction will start and will take approximately 2 years to complete. Works will take place between Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturdays 7am to 1pm (when required).
Commission facility and demobilise from site.
If you have any questions or would like to know more, contact us on: