Westernport Region Water Corporation (the Corporation), trading as Westernport Water, is a regional water corporation whose core functions are to provide drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services to properties and communities throughout its district, in accordance with the standards listed in the Westernport Water Customer Charter 2018-23, or by agreement.
Westernport Water is one of 18 water corporations operating and reporting to the State Government of Victoria. It is responsible for servicing 21,916 customers from 27 townships across an area covering 300 square kilometres, encompassing Millowl (Phillip Island) and mainland communities from The Gurdies to Archies Creek.
The region has one of the highest ratios of visitors to residents of any destination in Australia. During peak periods, there can be approximately 120 visitors to every resident.
Westernport Water sources water from Tennent Creek, the Corporation’s main water supply source, with additional entitlements on water from the Bass River, the Melbourne Supply System and groundwater from Corinella Aquifer. These can be accessed during periods of low rainfall.
Drinking water is produced at Ian Bartlett Water Purification Plant (IBWPP) at Candowie Reservoir in Almurta, then pumped to waterline communities and the San Remo Basin for distribution to customers.
Westernport Water operates two wastewater treatment plants: the Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWTP) and the King Road Wastewater Treatment Plant (KRWTP). There are also 99 pump stations across the wastewater network that are used to service approximately 90 percent of properties that receive drinking water. Effluent collected from the townships of Kilcunda and Dalyston is treated under an agreement with South Gippsland Water at its Wonthaggi Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Westernport Water acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as First Nations People and that the land, sea and water are of spiritual, cultural and economic importance. We recognise that we provide services on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation. The Bunurong Peoples have managed the resources on Millowl for thousands of years. We acknowledge them and their continued connection to this place, as we go about managing the water resources today.
The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation is the Registered Aboriginal Party that covers the areas of Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast and South Gippsland. They are the Traditional Owner organisation that represent the Bunurong people of the South-Eastern Kulin Nation.
Learn more with the About us infographic November 2021