A team of divers will spend most of next month in the cold waters of Oberon Dam in New South Wales, Australia, replacing essential valves. The water temperature is around eight degrees Celsius.
Specialist divers are set to replace several valves on the intake tower, which control water release from the dam. This maintenance is part of WaterNSW’s Fish River supply scheme, servicing Oberon and Lithgow councils.
“The current water temperature is a chilly eight degrees, but these specialist divers wear dry suits and do this kind of work year-round,” said Brian Mayhew, WaterNSW General Manager Regional Operations Sydney. “It’s actually safer and more cost-effective to use divers to replace the valves rather than lowering the lake’s water level.”
A temporary pumping system will be installed to ensure water supply to Fish River customers, as water typically flows by gravity through the valves. Divers will then replace a series of valves on the intake tower, each weighing about 400kg and measuring 675mm wide by 1500mm high.
The maintenance work will begin at the end of July and is expected to take about five weeks, weather permitting. “The work will help ensure the reliable and efficient operation of the Oberon Dam intake tower and safe water supply to customers in the Fish River region,” Brian said.
WaterNSW will monitor water quality closely during this period, and does not expect any supply interruptions for Fish River customers. “To minimise impacts to the community and customers, this essential maintenance work is completed during winter when demand for water is lower,” Brian added. “WaterNSW invests in regular maintenance and upkeep to ensure the reliability of our assets into the future and provide the best outcomes for our customers.”
Oberon Dam is located on the Fish River, about three kilometres south of Oberon in the NSW Central Tablelands, 190km west of Sydney. At 1,068 metres above sea level, Lake Oberon is classified as alpine waters.
