Water from the desalination plant at Wonthaggi will be transferred to Melbourne and regional areas via a new, 84km underground pipeline.

The pipeline will connect into Melbourne’s supply network at Berwick and then flow into Cardinia Reservoir or direct into the pipe system.

The two-way pipeline means that if the desalination plant is not running, water can be supplied from Cardinia Reservoir to regional towns in South Gippsland and Western Port for the first time.

This represents an 84km extension to the Victorian water grid and increases water security for these towns.

The Victorian Desalination Project is working with about 125 landowners affected by the underground pipeline and power supply easement.

The pipes, most of which are being manufactured by Victorian-based company Tyco at its Somerton factory, are 1.93m in diameter and weigh about 13 tonnes each. They are designed to deliver up to 200 billion litres of water a year should the plant be expanded.

A booster pump station will be built at Clyde North to maintain pumping pressure between Cardinia Reservoir and Wonthaggi. The site for the booster pump station was agreed after consultation with local landowners and communities.

Air vents and scour valves along the pipeline are required to allow air into the pipe when the pipe is draining and out of the pipe when it is filling with desalinated water.

Two surge tanks will control the rate of pressure changes in the pumping system. They will be located at Kilcunda Ridge and St Heliers Gurdies Rd.

Water authorities that have requested connections along the pipeline are South East Water, Westernport Water and South Gippsland Water.

Water authorities in Greater Melbourne will be connected via Cardinia Reservoir. Geelong will receive water through a new pipe connection with Melbourne.

The Government has provided $5 million to install a pipe from the desalination plant to the South Gippsland Water network to secure the water supply of Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Cape Paterson.