This upgrade will extend the service life of this critical pipe and ensure the reliability and sustainability of our network.

On this page:
What's happening?

We are upgrading the 2.2kms of trunk water main using a new trenchless technology that involves inserting an internal lining, called ‘Primus Line’, into the existing pipe. This allows us to reline the pipe while still in the ground, without having to dig up large sections of the street. This means significantly less disruption to residents, business and traffic. To see a Primus Line installation in action, watch the video on our 'Project Updates' page.

After completing works in the first six months of 2020, this project is again underway after a review of the methodology due to the complexity of the work and some challenging site conditions.  Completion is anticipated in late 2020. The majority of the work will be done during the night, between 6pm and 6am, Sunday to Friday.

Our crews will be installing the liner at 10 locations along the trunk main, working their way from Newstead, south towards Fortitude Valley. The complexity of the work and uncertainty of the ground conditions may require the crews to move out of sequence to other sections of the alignment at short notice. This means we won’t always be able to notify you in advance when we will be working in your area. 

What can I expect?

The majority of the work will be done during the night, between 6pm and 6am, Sunday to Friday.

During this work, customers and businesses might be impacted by:

  • night work with lighting, construction vehicle movements and the use of noise generating machinery. Crews will endeavour to complete the high noise work as early as possible (site conditions permitting)
  • changed traffic conditions and lane closures around work sites, with traffic management in place to manage traffic flow
  • crews moving back and forth between work locations on a regular basis at short notice.

There will be no disruption to your water supply as a result of this work.

The project team will manage the construction impacts by:
  • placing barriers and suitable signage around the work areas during excavation
  • minimising noise and dust and managing both at the source, to the extent possible
  • temporarily restoring disturbed roads and footpaths to allow for continued day use while the project is progressing
  • restoring affected areas as close to their original condition as possible, after the work is completed.

Please take care and observe all signposting, speed limits and any directions given by traffic controllers.

What other projects are happening in this area?

Temporary water outages - Wed 23 September, Mon 28 September and Wed 30 September there will be planned temporary water outages taking place which will affect properties on Commercial Road. These outages are not associated with the Ann Street trunk main project. This work is being performed by contractors outside of Urban Utilities who can be contacted on 0400 458 370. You will receive notification in your letter box of the dates and times of the planned outages. For more information contact Scott on 0400 458 370.

The S1 Trunk Sewer Main Upgrade is also undergoing vital maintenance along Ann Street, Fortitude Valley and Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead. Crews are working on the sewer network at maintenance holes along Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, between Longland Street and Amy Street, Albion.

Some customers may receive notifications about both projects. If you would like more information about the S1 sewer project please visit the project page here.
For information about the project, you can:

Thank you for your patience while we complete this important work.

Winner of the customer survey prize draw

The lucky winner of the $50 prize draw is Mr I Smith of Fortitude Valley. Congratulations Mr Smith and thank you to all who participated for your valuable feedback.

To view the customer satisfaction midway survey competition terms and conditions, click here.

 

Read the August 2020 project update here.

*Primus Line installation in action:
Pit locations and nearest cross street (from City end to Newstead end):
  • Ann Street, outside of All Hallows' School and opposite intersection with Gotha Street
  • Ann Street at intersection with Brunswick Street, outside of The Empire
  • Ann Street at intersection with Connor Street
  • Ann Street at corner of James Street, outside Verve Portraits
  • Ann Street opposite the entry to Brookes Street
  • Intersection of Chester Street and Ann Street, in the traffic island
  • Intersection of Ann Street and Commercial Road, outside of the Waterloo Hotel
  • Ann Street near Waterloo Street, in front of FitX Gym and Ferrari
  • Edmondstone Road between Breakfast Creek Road and Ross Street - two pits

Click here to view a map of alignment and the location of each pit.

Breathing new life into a piece of Brisbane's history

    Known as the S77, the Ann Street water main is one of Brisbane’s oldest water pipes, originally constructed between 1890-92 by the Brisbane Board of Waterworks. 

    The 600mm cast iron pipes were made in an ironworks in Hull, Yorkshire and shipped to Australia. In those days most pipes came from the UK. Upon arrival in Brisbane, bullock drays hauled them to the location of the works. 

    The work also included the construction of the Mt Crosby pumping station on the Brisbane River and the pipeline that connected Mt Crosby to the existing supply mains near Kenmore.

    A fateful voyage
    AnnSt

    On Saturday 11 December 1891, the Glasgow flagged ship Enterkin, carrying 2500 tonnes of cast iron pipes bound for the Brisbane Water Supply Scheme, was wrecked off Ramsgate in the English Channel. Tragically, thirty of those on board were drowned and only a young apprentice survived.

    This Australia-bound ship was one of many that were wrecked in that epic winter storm along the length of the British Isles.

    To this day, the pipes remain on the bottom of the sea about thirty miles out from the Thames Estuary at a place called Galloper Sands.

    Next time you turn on your tap, spare a thought for our industrious forebearers who battled to build the infrastructure that stands today.