Where our water comes from

Cooby Dam is the oldest of the city's three water supply dams, constructed during the period 1938-41. This dam is located about 17 km north of Toowoomba on Cooby Creek, a tributary of Condamine River.

Storage statistics

• Total catchment area = 159km²
• Storage area = 306ha (full supply)
• Maximum available storage = 21,166ML
• Dead storage = 1,462ML
• Approximate evaporation = 5.2mm/day
• Full water supply useable capacity = 19,703ML
• Depth (overflow - dead water level) = 12.5m

Cressbrook Dam is the largest and newest of the city's three water supply dams. The dam is located on Cressbrook Creek approximately 10 km downstream of Perseverance Dam. The construction of the dam was commenced in 1981 and was completed in 1983.

Storage statistics

• Total catchment area = 320 km2 (including Perseverance)
• Storage area = 517 ha (full supply)
• Maximum available storage = 81,842 ML
• Dead storage = 2,995 ML
• Approximate evaporation = 5.4 mm/day
• Full water supply useable capacity = 78,847 ML
• Depth (overflow - dead water level) = 34.0 m

Perseverance Dam is the second largest dam in terms of storage capacity, and the second oldest storage dam of the city's three water supply dams. Construction of this dam commenced in 1962 and was completed in 1965. This dam is located approximately 35 km northeast of Toowoomba on Perseverance Creek, which is a tributary of Cressbrook Creek.

Storage statistics

• Total catchment area = 110km²
• Storage area = 250ha (full supply)
• Maximum available storage = 30,140ML
• Dead storage = 3,207ML
• Approximate evaporation = 4.1mm/day
• Full water supply useable capacity = 26,893ML
• Depth (overflow - dead water level) = 23.1m

The Wivenhoe pipeline, operational in 2010, ensures that the local water infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of the community. When utilised, the water from Wivenhoe Dam is lifted more than 200 metres to Cressbrook Dam and then has to be lifted another 425 metres to be treated and ready for use in homes and businesses over 600 metres above its source.

The three dams (Cooby, Cressbrook and Perseverance) and bores in the Toowoomba Region have been able to adequately supply our businesses and industries, but the continuing population growth may mean water will need to be drawn from Wivenhoe Dam in the future.

Pipeline details

• Length: 38km from Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook Dam.
• Type of water transferred: Raw water.
• Capacity to deliver water: 14,200ML per year with an ultimate capacity of 18,000 megalitres per year.
• Pump stations: two pump stations at Wivenhoe Dam and an advanced electronic system to ensure remote operation.
• Built by: LinkWater Projects and fully operational by January 2010.

• Water is supplied by bores.
• Water treatment via chlorination occurs at bore stations.
• Water is delivered to customers via over 27km of pipelines.

Cambooya water supply zone map.(PDF, 114KB)

• Water is supplied by a bore and the Cecil Plains Weir on the Condamine River.
• Water treatment occurs at the Cecil Plains Water Treatment Plant.
• Water is delivered to customers via over 8km of pipelines and is assisted by a booster station.

Cecil Plains water supply zone map.(PDF, 89KB)

• Water supplied by bores.
• Water is treated at the Clifton Water Treatment Plant.
• Water is delivered to customers via over 24km of pipelines and is assisted by a booster station.

Clifton water supply zone map.(PDF, 87KB)

• Water supplied by bores.
• Water treatment via chlorination occurs at bore stations.
• Water is delivered to customers via over 10km of pipelines.

Greenmount water supply zone map.(PDF, 91KB)

• Water is supplied by bores.
• Water treatment via chlorination occurs at the bore station.
• Water is delivered to customers via nearly 3km of pipelines.

Haden water supply zone map.(PDF, 97KB)

• Water is supplied by a bore.
• Water supplied is non-potable.

Kulpi water supply zone map.(PDF, 84KB)

• Water is supplied by bores.
• Water treatment via chlorination occurs at bore stations.
• Water is delivered to customers via over 46km of pipelines and is assisted by two booster stations.

Millmerran water supply zone map.(PDF, 104KB)

• Water is supplied by bores.
• Water treatment via chlorination occurs at bore stations.
• Water is delivered to customers via over 6km of pipelines.

Nobby water supply zone map.(PDF, 85KB)

• Water is supplied by bores.
• Water treatment occurs at the Yarranlea Water Treatment Plant.
• Water is delivered to customers via over 73km of pipelines and is assisted by two booster stations.

Pittsworth water supply zone map.(PDF, 174KB)

• This system primarily sources water from Boondooma Dam. Intermittent supply is provided by Ted Pukallus Weir.
• Water treatment occurs at the Yarraman Water Treatment Plant.
• Water is delivered to customers via over 62km of pipelines and is assisted by a booster station.

Yarraman water supply zone map.(PDF, 97KB)