Pine Creek additional water source

Pine Creek is one of the most water stressed communities in the Northern Territory.

To continue to provide a safe and reliable water supply to our Pine Creek customers we are working to introduce an additional water supply source.

Our Water Services team has been working to identify and confirm a suitable water source in the Pine Creek area for several years. They have investigated several options and for more than 5 years have tested water monthly from sources to identify the preferred source with consistent best quality results.

Being able to mix the current bore water supply with water from an additional source during drier periods will improve water quality and extend the life of the bore field, providing security of supply into the future.

Finding a water source

Why do we need an additional water source?

Pine Creek is one of the most water-stressed communities in the Territory. Water is sourced from several bores near the town and has a high mineral content.

If the water supply is not supplemented with another water source soon, there is a risk that the bores could fail if future wet seasons are poor.

Introducing an additional water source will reduce stress on the existing bores, extend the life of the bore field and improve water quality.

What is Power and Water doing to put an additional water source in place?

We have been investigating alternative water sources in the Pine Creek area for around 10 years and collecting data for more than 5 years to make an informed decision on the best way forward. The 3 best options investigated include:

  • Drilling additional bores to extend the existing bore field.
    The bore field is a very mineralised area and several of the existing bores will soon need to be replaced as equipment is nearing end of life.
  • Extracting water from the disused Enterprise open cut mine.
    Using Enterprise as an additional drinking water supply requires:
    • agreement from the mine owners, NT Mining Operations (Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM)
    • a water extraction licence from Northern Territory Government
    • new infrastructure to be built to extract the water and connect to our existing pipeline.
  • Extracting water from Copperfield Dam.
    We have taken water from Copperfield Dam in the past to supplement the towns' bore water supply. The water quality is poor and the dam and infrastructure need significant works and upgrades to bring them up to standard.
What is the preferred additional water source option and why?

After more than 5 years of monthly water quality testing, data shows extracting water from Enterprise to be the most effective solution, providing the best quality water for Pine Creek residents.

Enterprise:

  • refills naturally via the Pine Creek
  • has been filled with water since mining ceased in the 1990s
  • is approximately 120 metres deep
  • is close to our existing infrastructure.
What progress has been made in securing Enterprise as the additional water source?

To secure Enterprise as an additional water source we have:

  • worked with owners AEM and have reached an agreement allowing us to take water from Enterprise
  • applied for an extraction licence from the Northern Territory Government
  • undertaken an environmental assessment of the proposed pump station and pipeline area
  • applied to Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) to ensure nothing of cultural significance is disturbed when constructing the new pipeline
  • applied for an easement to cover the new pump station and pipeline route.

Safety and quality

Does Enterprise water meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines?

Enterprise water has been independently tested regularly for more than five years. The results show it is a safe, good-quality water source and the preferred option to help supplement the community's water supply. It may also provide a long-term solution, subject to further investigation.

Testing of water blended from Enterprise and the existing borefield has consistently met the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

Some water samples taken directly from Enterprise after heavy rain have shown higher levels of naturally occurring minerals. However, Enterprise will predominately be used towards the end of the dry season when the bore levels become low. Based on years of testing, we expect the water to continue meeting the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines when it is used.

To provide the best quality water, we will only draw water from the upper part of Enterprise to a depth of 4.8 metres, where the water is naturally replenished each year by rainfall.

TropWater Independent water quality assessment

What treatment will Enterprise water need to be safe to drink?

Enterprise water only needs the same treatment as the current bore water i.e. standard disinfection.

Tests results show the best quality drinking water comes from mixing the current bore water supply with water from Enterprise. This mixed water is a higher quality than the current bore water alone.

Isn't water from mine pits unsafe?

Water in mine tailings pits or dams can be unsafe, as these facilities store waste material from mining.

Enterprise is not a tailings pit or dam. It is the original open-cut mine, which has naturally filled with water from the Pine Creek over time.

The pit now holds a large, stable body of water around 120 metres deep. While the pit walls at depth contain naturally occurring sulphides, these remain stable as water prevents oxygen from reaching them. Importantly, these materials are  well below  the planned maximum water extraction depth of 4.8 metres.

Who else uses the water from Enterprise?

The Pine Creek Local Authority extracts water from Enterprise for irrigation and provides Pine Creek Mango Farm with water for irrigation.

Our modelling indicates there is enough water for us, the local authority and the mango farm to take water from Enterprise and remain within our maximum extraction depth of 4.8 metres.

The water network

What is needed to extract water and connect Enterprise to the existing water network?

To extract water from Enterprise we will build a pump station at the southern end (near the boat ramp) with an extraction point close to the middle of the southern end of the reservoir. The extraction depth will be limited to a maximum of 4.8 metres.

We will also construct a new pipeline to the south that will connect with our existing pipeline that supplies the town.

More information

Do you have questions about this project?

If you have any questions or concerns about this project you can contact us on email at customerservice@powerwater.com.au or call us on 1800 245 092.

We presented to the Pine Creek Local Authority meeting on 4 August 2026. We will continue to provide updates on the project as it progresses.

We will also hold pop-up sessions in Pine Creek where you can come along and chat with us in person.

Our first pop-up will be Wednesday 12 August 10am - 1pm on the lawn area in front of the Post Office.

What you can do to reduce your water use.

We all have a role to play to ensure we have enough water for the future. See how you can do your bit to save water.

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