The original Goldfields Water Supply – the brainchild of engineer C.Y. O’Connor – has been recognised as an engineering project of international status.

The pipeline was officially designated as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark at a ceremony at Mundaring this morning (20 October 2009).

It is only the third engineering project in Australia to receive the prestigious accolade, with the others being the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme.

Other notable engineering landmarks to receive the accolade include the Eiffel Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Panama Canal.

The dedication was made under the History and Heritage Program of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), after being nominated by the WA Division of Engineers Australia.

“The American Society of Civil Engineers and engineers around the world are pleased to acknowledge the Goldfields Water Supply as an engineering project of international significance,” said ASCE International Director, Mr Potenciano Leoncio, who flew in from the Philippines for the ceremony.

“When built, it was an innovative, ambitious and daring water engineering project. Incredibly, more than 100 years later, it is still operating and carrying much-needed water to the Goldfields and agricultural regions.”

The Goldfields Water Supply – including Mundaring Weir and the project’s original eight pumping stations – was built by the Public Works Department of WA from 1895–1903.

When built, it was the longest fresh water pipeline in the world and the first major pipeline in the world constructed of steel. The scheme’s Engineer-in-Chief was Charles Y. O'Connor, and the Engineer-in-Charge was Thomas C. Hodgson.

During a major upgrade in the 1930s, the pipeline was raised above ground and made into a continuously welded conduit under the direction of PWD Northam District Engineer Norman Fernie.

“Engineers Australia is proud that this accolade recognises the efforts of the many people responsible for constructing the Goldfields Water Supply,” said Peter Godfrey, National President of Engineers Australia.

“We are particularly pleased that it highlights the remarkable work of not only C.Y. O’Connor, but also fellow engineers Thomas Hodgson and Norman Fernie, whose contributions and stories are not so well known.”

The GWS is owned and operated by the Water Corporation.

Water Corporation Chief Executive Officer Mrs Sue Murphy said it was exciting to have a pipeline that provided vital water to the Goldfields and towns along its route which was a direct link to the organisation’s past.

“This accolade is great recognition for those who built the pipeline and for the many people involved in upgrading and maintaining over the last 106 years,” she said.