More than 100 billion litres of water each year will be saved through the completed Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, the Minister for Water, Senator Penny Wong, and Senator Jacinta Collins announced today.

The project involved replacing over 17,000 kilometres of leaky, open channel systems with 8,800 kilometres of pipeline.

"Many of our rural and regional communities are confronting the challenge of securing their water supplies in the face of continuing drought and climate change,” Senator Wong said.

“The Wimmera Mallee Pipeline project is helping by ensuring water supply for around 36 townships and 9000 farms in the region.

“Water saved through this project will also benefit the environment, with 83 billion litres of the water saved used to benefit environmental sites like the Wimmera and Glenelg Rivers.”

Senator Collins, who attended today's launch in Horsham, noted the hard work carried out by the project proponents.

"This is a significant achievement and I commend all those involved for delivering such a vital piece of infrastructure to the region ahead of schedule and under budget," Senator Collins said.

"The Pipeline project has already delivered considerable economic benefits to this region throughout its construction phase.”

The Federal Government contributed $266 million towards the Pipeline project, which is worth $637 million. This funding was matched by the Victorian Government, with the remaining funds provided by the Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Authority.

Federal funding for the project came from the Rudd Government’s long-term $12.9 billion Water for the Future initiative, through its Water Smart Australia program.

For more information visit www.environment.gov.au/water