• The lower section of the water tower doesn’t contain any water – just the top tank section.

Inside this section of the water tower is a board which monitors the levels of water in the tank, and ensures that the water levels are kept at optimum levels.  Water is not continually pumped into the tank.
There is a level sensor/radio transmitter inside the tank.

When the sensor shows the levels are at a certain point then the transmitter “speaks” to the reservoir (on the southern side of Port Vincent)

Then the pumps ramp up and feed water into the tower until the levels are topped up.

The reservoir is also topped up, relying on electronic indication - this is topped up from the Minlaton tank.

• The inside of the water tower is a working area.
• Water is a valuable resource and needs to be managed, including at an individual level, to ensure a reliable drinking water supply into the future.

While Port Vincent no longer relies on underground water, the community needs to use the resource responsibly, and the Community Wastewater Management Scheme is one step in the right direction.  New subdivisions are automatically added to the scheme, and currently consultation and negotiations are underway to bring the older existing areas on to the scheme. 
New projects are underway to access funding to enable recycled water to play a big part in the water management of Port Vincent.

Facts and figures from SA Water to make you think!  - 

Just in case you missed it on the story board – our use of water in just Port Vincent has increased from just over 50 megalitres in 2016 to over 75 megalitres in 2020 – a 50% increase in 4 years! We have to ask ourselves, is that sustainable into the future?

When the marina was developed, Port Vincent put in a common effluent and recycled water system, which while it does not service the whole town, it does reduce the town’s water use.

For those of you interested in the detail of construction of the water tower:-