More than 690,000L of drinking water can now be stored in newly-constructed tanks at Taplan, aiming to improve water supply and reliability for the Riverland town.

SA Water has recently completed a $10m renovation on new water storage tanks located on Taplan Road, increasing storage capacity up to five-times compared to the previous structures, built more than 40 years ago.

The increased capacity will provide a buffer during drier conditions and improve the ability to provide water to the community during times of peak demand, benefiting more than 700 homes and local businesses. SA Water acting general manager of sustainable infrastructure Peter Seltsikas said “this important project has ensured a continued and secure supply of drinking water for the community now and into the future”.

“There are around 700 homes and businesses in the Taplan and surrounding area which are supplied by these tanks for their water needs, and we’re excited to see this new infrastructure up and running which has future-proofed the local water network for many years to come,” Mr Seltsikas said.

“The elevated steel tank, which sits 15.5m high, can store 136,000L of water and is supplied by an above ground tank with a capacity of 560,000L.

“Water is pumped into the above-ground tank before being transferred into the elevated tank as needed, with this elevation harnessing gravity to provide reliable pressure into the network, enabling water to flow through an underground pipeline and into our customers’ properties for everyday use.

“The old structure, built around 40 years ago, was decommissioned and demolished after reaching the end of its useful life, and through construction of the new tanks, we maintained an uninterrupted water supply to the local area using temporary bypass tanks and pumps.

“This has been a significant project for Taplan’s water network, with approximately 60 people involved in the work, and we’re grateful for the positive engagement and support from neighbouring landholders.

“We look forward to delivering lasting benefits through this new infrastructure as the project is one of many investments we are making in our regional networks across South Australia through our four-year, $3.3bn capital program to deliver reliable services for our customers into the future.”

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 14 May 2025.