The site, at the intersection of Powlett Road and Belmont Street, had been out of action for a number of months following a catastrophic pipework failure which required major refurbishment work on the facility. 

The standpipe, a freestanding pipe fitted with a tap which is installed outdoors to dispense water in areas which do not have a running water supply to the buildings, had earlier been earmarked for removal.

It was decommisioned by Loddon Shire Council in April, but switched back on Tuesday.

It was switched on again on Wednesday.

During the process of completing repairs, council took the opportunity to make safety improvements to this site through the reconfiguration of equipment layout and removal of the former overhead boom fill point.  

Loddon Shire Mayor Gavan Holt said users of this site would note a slightly different configuration of the facility to the other seven standpipe sites across the shire. 

"Unlike the old unit, the new standpipe is a hydrant style facility," he said.  

"Customers will now only be able to access water at this site via the 50mm male cam-lock fitting mounted at a height of 1.2m above the ground.

"For those who have been using such low level fill points, it will be business as usual. 

"However, customers who were accessing their water via the overhead structure will need to obtain their own hose fitted at one end with a 50mm female cam-lock fitting."

The rest of council’s standpipes still operate with both overhead and hydrant style fill points.

It is expected that the new facility at Inglewood will set the benchmark for the gradual renewal of all standpipes across the municipality. 

Cr Holt said the council would review standpipe services offered across the Shire with the aim of minimising operational costs and associated standpipe usage fees.