Life-saving water through a pipeline

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I’ve written about the different climatic zones in Western Australia. Even in our temperate areas, water can be scarce. Over a century ago, gold was found in what is now the Kalgoorlie/Coolgardie region east of Perth. However, men can’t dig for gold if they have no water to drink, and there was little water to be found in that area. An ambitious scheme resulted in a steel pipeline being installed from Perth to the goldfields. A series of eight pump stations would enable water to be lifted from the reservoir at Mundaring then pumped the 530 km (330 miles) to its destination. Named the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, the main pipeline was constructed between 1898 and 1902. Many believed it would never work. Such was the controversy that the chief engineer, C Y O’Connor, committed suicide. Less than a year later, the Scheme was officially commissioned and it is still an integral part of the landscape. A network of pipes, totalling some 8,000 kms, now radiate north and south of the original east-west pipeline, ensuring a secure water supply to those living in the wheatbelt. My home town of Narrogin still benefits from the scheme. The photo shows part of the pipeline near Narrogin. The main pipes are much larger in diameter.