Murrumbidgee Irrigation will be completing modernisation works this winter, with a focus on minimising impacts to water supply where possible.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation chief executive officer, Brett Jones, said there would be no impact on town water supplies, and irrigators on the Main Canal would have ongoing intermittent supply access throughout June and July.

“We are operating the Main Canal differently this winter to allow us to be more responsive to irrigators critical water needs,” he said.

“Rather than shutting down the system, we will let irrigators know when water is not available in their section.”

The Sturt Canal and south-western parts of the MIA water delivery network will have an 11-week shutdown from now to enable modernisation and maintenance works, re-commencing supply in mid-August.

This includes Benerembah, Wah Wah, Tabbita and Warburn.

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The 2018 modernisation program forms part of the largest suite of works undertaken in the area in over 100 years.

Mr Jones explained some of the modernisation works commenced in season, as part of the company’s shift to automation.

“We have also made provisions to pump around structures while we continue to deliver water where we can,” he said.

“The works are critical to enable us to maximise the benefits of the projects already completed across the MIA. It will also support any future investment in the network.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reduce our operating costs, increase flow capacity and improve supply reliability.”

Works may involve changed traffic conditions in some areas.

Other than the upgrade of regulators in North Kooba, and some channel rehabilitation works, there are no major works scheduled on the Main Canal this year. Sections will be lowered intermittently to allow for inspections and programmed maintenance works.

The Sturt Canal and south-western parts of the water delivery network will have limited winter water available for critical crop needs from June 19 to 27.