A pipe that stood the test of time

Visitors to our Warrnambool office can get a close-up look at a fascinating piece of local water supply history.

The timber pipe section on display was removed during a water main renewal project in 2023 and had been quietly serving the community since 1929. Installed along McIntyre Street, Hamilton the wooden water pipes remained in operation for an incredible 94 years.

Many people are surprised to learn that parts of the region’s water network were still using infrastructure installed almost a century ago. At the time of installation, wood stave pipes were considered an innovative engineering solution and played an important role in delivering reliable water supplies to communities across Victoria.

What is a wood stave pipe?

Unlike a pipe carved from a single log, wood stave pipes were built from curved timber planks called staves, fitted tightly together to form a cylinder, much like a giant wine barrel. Steel wire or metal bands wrapped around the outside held the pipe together and allowed it to withstand water pressure.

Before installation, the timber was treated and kiln-dried, then wrapped in hessian and coated in tar for protection. The pipe was filled with water, allowing the timber to swell and create a watertight seal, eliminating the need for modern rubber gaskets.

Why were they used?

Wood stave pipes offered several advantages at a time when transporting heavy iron or steel pipes to regional areas was difficult and expensive.

By late 1938, as the threat of global war became a certainty, Australia was in the middle of a major rearmament scheme.  National security took precedence over all social spending and there was a huge demand for steel.

Instead of using steel pipes, which weren’t available, the main Otway pipeline from the Ewen’s Hill Reservoir to the south of Terang was constructed of wood bound by a steel wire.

This section of pipe had to be kept full of water to prevent the timber from shrinking which would have caused the pipe to leak.

Built to last

Although designed to last around 20 years, many far exceeded their expected lifespan. The Hamilton pipe remained in operation for almost a century.

One reason for their longevity is that timber can remain remarkably durable when kept continuously saturated underground. Without exposure to oxygen, decay occurs much more slowly, allowing wooden infrastructure to survive for decades and, in some cases, centuries.

This pipe is more than just a piece of old infrastructure. It represents the evolution of water services across western Victoria and the generations of engineering, craftsmanship and investment that have helped keep communities supplied with safe, reliable water.