News
2 September, 2026
$38 million Yass water upgrade
Yass mayor Jasmin Jones is confident a $38 million upgrade of the town’s water treatment plant and water reticulation system will commence in March next year (2027).
Yass mayor Jasmin Jones is confident a $38 million upgrade of the town’s water treatment plant and water reticulation system will commence in March next year (2027).
Cr Jones said the project had been in the planning stage for a number of years but the plans were coming to fruition and would soon become “machinery, earthworks and finally a new chapter in Yass’s water story”.
She said it was frustrating to watch a long-held project slowly become reality, but it would be “worth the wait”.
Cr Jones said she recognised the importance of the project to the community given ongoing issues with water quality.
She said reliable, good quality water was something the community had been pushing as a priority for decades.
“While we have some of the most skilled technicians working hard to ensure our water is safe to drink, Yass Valley knows there are rare times when this isn’t possible due to ageing infrastructure that is unable to cope with treating to the national standard during significant storm events, as an example.
“At other times, water colour and odour can be less than desirable despite meeting safe potable water standards,” the mayor said.
Cr Jones said council had been working “for many years” to secure new water infrastructure – “not just for us but for the generations who will call our valley home”.
That had now been made possible by more than $38 million in funding from the State and Federal Governments.
“This is a significant investment in the future of our town and village communities,” Cr Jones said.
She said there was still a significant amount of work to be done before construction commences.
Council is progressing final approvals and working through tendering and contractor processes and at the same time undertaking major water main upgrades across Yass.
“These things take time because we want to get them right so the infrastructure will reliably support current residents, new homes, local businesses, families and the continued growth of Yass.”
For now, Cr Jones said, much of the work is being undertaken behind the scenes including engineering drawings, environmental assessments, approvals, tender documents and meetings.
“We are getting closer,” she reassured the community.
Facebook users responded cynically to the mayor’s update suggesting they wouldn’t live long enough to see the project finished.
Another asked what would be happening with the 100-year-old pipes around Yass.
“All well and good for treatment plant. However, no point putting fresh water down old dirty pipes and call it clean,” he said.
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