Minister for Water Peter Walsh and Minister for Lowan Hugh Delahunty joined other dignitaries and community members to mark the official opening of the project at Goldsworthy Park yesterday.

Hindmarsh Mayor Rob Gersch welcomed the development.

He said people were no longer as reliant on rainwater tanks, bore water or purchased water.

The improved water supply also contains less minerals and lower salinity.

“With the better quality water, there won’t be as much erosion and cost to residents in maintaining hot water services,” Cr Gersch said.

“We will be paying a little bit more for this service, but to have world-standard water is a great plus.

“In the long run, it will be cheaper for households.”

Council’s recreation and sporting reserves, such as Davis Park, will continue to use untreated bore water.

“It has been quite a long process,” Cr Gersch said.

He said there were some initial objections from community members concerned about the quality of water and guarantee of supply.

“But that was quite a few years ago,” he said.

“People are very pleased with it.”

The project involved upgrading the existing Dimboola Water Treatment Plant.

A 40-kilometre pipeline pipes drinking water from the plant to Nhill.

The town’s water pressure also improved as a consequence.

GWMWater managed the project and contributed $9,210,000.

The State Government provided the remaining $390,000.

Construction began in January last year and was completed in October.

Mr Walsh said high-quality water supply was important for the town’s development.

“It is important for regional towns like Nhill – which is on the route from Adelaide to Melbourne – to have a high-quality water supply if they are to attract new residents and industry to the town and grow the population,” he said.

Donald, Jeparit, Minyip, Rupanyup and Wycheproof’s water supplies are also being upgraded.

GWM Water estimates construction of those projects should be finished by the end of the month.