WATER Corporation has confirmed there is a power curtailment agreement with AEMO affecting pumping capacity as Chidlow and Wooroloo residents continue chasing solutions for pressure-related issues.

Chidlow resident Roberta Selleck chaired the meeting attended by about 35 residents, including residents from Wooroloo who were also experiencing issues with water outages and fluctuations.

Wooroloo residents met with Water Minister Simone McGurk during a February 4 meeting, but Ms McGurk did not attend the Chidlow meeting citing heavy commitments.

Mrs Selleck said candidates at a state and federal level from the major parties were in attendance and expected the issue to be known to all parties as a result.

“Our local candidates are definitely doing the right thing as we were being heard by the candidates and those with interest in what’s going on in Chidlow and Wooroloo,” she said.

“What we’re incredibly disappointed by was Minister McGurk’s inadequate response at this point in time.

“She wrote us a letter claiming heavy commitments and basically told us that the Chidlow scenario was still under investigation, even though we know there are reports that have gone to the minister.

“So fundamentally Minister McGurk is undertaking stalling tactics and has not made any commitments to resolve the issues.”

Mrs Selleck began experiencing water issues in January 2023 and made a complaint as the low water pressure meant they weren’t able to shower at night as reported in Residents say water not pumping enough in Chidlow.

She then headed an action group within the Chidlow Progress Association, recording the number of impacted households and continuing to liaise with Water Corporation and relevant parties for the affected residents.

In Water Corporation responds to Chidlow complaints it was reported that Water Corporation had installed a header tank and pump at Mrs Selleck’s property, but a wider community solution was still needed.

A Water Corporation spokesperson said there was a power curtailment agreement in place.

“Like many high energy users, Water Corporation occasionally reduces its electricity use during high demand periods to support wider stability of the power grid.

“This arrangement has been in place for more than 15 years and includes infrastructure which draws on high amounts of electricity, including pumping capacity along the Goldfields pipeline.

“Since April 1, 2024 electricity has been curtailed across various assets 11 times for an average of three hours each time.

“The Chidlow pump station is part of the wider Goldfields Agricultural Water Scheme, up to and including Kalgoorlie and receives water via the Goldfields pipeline.

“Water Corporation is continuing to investigate the root cause of low-pressure issues to a small number of properties in Chidlow and is communicating with those customers directly.”

Mrs Selleck said Wooroloo residents had received a letter from Water Corporation which outlines they would not be resolving the area’s low pressure issues but will put in place non-standard service agreements.

“(This) abrogates Water Corporation responsibility for the standards of the service being supplied,” she said.

“The Chidlow residents are concerned this will become the default solution which means the issue won’t be resolved and will only become exacerbated as development and growth continues.”

The letter Wooroloo residents received confirmed Water Corporation wouldn’t investigate the area’s water pressure any further.

“As your property is serviced under a non-standard water service (NSWS) agreement, it is important to understand that fluctuations in water pressure are a known and expected condition on your service,” it said.

“While we recognise that changing water pressure has caused frustration, these fluctuations are inherent to the nature of the NSWS arrangement.

“As such, Water Corporation will not be proceeding with further investigations into water pressure in the area.

“We understand that this outcome may be disappointing, but it reflects the terms of service agreed upon for properties with a non-standard water service.

“If you remain concerned or wish to seek further review of the decision, you may contact the energy and water ombudsman.

“We hope this provides clarity and understanding of Water Corporation’s final position and we thank you for working with us through this process.”

*A previous edition of this story incorrectly said Western Power instead of AEMO.