The Commonwealth and South Australian Governments joined Lower Lakes communities today to celebrate the completion of a 160-kilometre pipeline network, delivering a secure drinking water supply to the region’s homes.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong and South Australian Premier Mike Rann joined Minister for Water Security Karlene Maywald on-site today to mark the completion of the project at Tailem Bend, in South Australia.

The potable pipeline network is the first in a $120 million integrated pipeline system for the Lower Lakes, providing security and continuity of supply for water users who previously accessed their supply from the Lower Lakes.

This project is part of the State Government’s $610 million Murray Futures package – funded through the Commonwealth’s Water for the Future program - designed to change the way the River Murray system and irrigation industries are managed in SA.

Senator Wong says the new potable pipeline will supply water to households and properties in the Raukkan, Narrung, Meningie and Langhorne Creek districts and along the Poltalloch Peninsula.

"Until now, many of the residents in the region have relied on the Lower Lakes for use in their homes and for livestock," Senator Wong said.

"Now with the level of the Lakes receding, and with no end in sight to this extended drought, the completion of this pipeline project will mean taps will be turned on to a filtered River Murray water supply.

"For these communities, this means secure water supplies - one of the key priorities of Water for the Future.

"Now it is important that energies and resources are focused on a long term solution for the Lower Lakes and the Coorong."

Premier Rann says construction began in October last year and was delivering water to some homes around the Lakes just before Christmas.

"At the height of construction, crews were laying pipes at about 3.5 kilometres per day so to complete 160 kilometres of pipelines in this short period is a fantastic achievement.

"The urgent need to get these pipelines in and operational has been met. The secure supply is already helping property owners to water their stock during what is looking to be a long, hot summer."

Minister Maywald says about 200 connections have been installed to homes in the region.

"For many householders, it is the first time they have received mains water, with most of their supply previously coming from the Lower Lakes, rainfall and most recently transporting water into their properties."

Through the Australian Government’s $12.9 billion Water for the Future plan, funding for other initiatives under Murray Futures includes up to:

• $120 million for a Lower lakes pipeline network supplying potable and irrigation water.
• $200m for a long term solution for the Lower Lakes and Coorong.
• $110m for reinvigoration of the irrigation sector in irrigation communities.
• $80m for purchase of water entitlements.
• $100m to improve the management of river wetlands and floodplains from the SA border to Wellington.