Work continues to power up flood-affected SA

SA Power Networks says the "backbone" powerlines have been energised meaning several hundred homes, businesses and irrigators on high ground and not directly impacted by the flooding now have normal service.

Field crews are also being deployed from other regions to assist local crews in tackling the network-related repair and restoration work, asset inspectors are checking the integrity of the network and electricians have undertaken updated training for the specific work of connecting service points for customers.

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"We know that many of the 3350 customers disconnected over the course of the flood will not be able to be reconnected for some time due to major damage from water inundation and debris," corporate affairs boss Paul Roberts said.

"Many properties will be beyond repair or uninhabitable for some time or will simply be demolished.

"Some will be able to be reconnected straight away and others may be partially affected and require several visits."

Mr Roberts said where possible SA Power Networks would restore the electricity supply to the switchboard and leave instructions advising the property owner of whether they can turn on their power or whether they need to get an electrician to undertake checks or do corrective work.

"We had more than 400 kilometres of powerline and about 4000 Stobie (power) poles standing in floodwaters, so it will be a massive task to visit every site affected, assess the damage, make repairs to powerlines and then reconnect electricity to properties that can be safely reconnected," Mr Roberts said.

"In all cases, customers should contact their electricity retailer to raise a reconnection service request."

The continuing work on power infrastructure follows last week's decision to lift SA's emergency declaration in relation to the flooding as water levels continued to fall.

At that stage, flows at the Victorian border had dropped to 50 gigalitres a day, down from a high of about 190GL at Christmas.

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Along with revoking the 80-day declaration, officials also lifted a range of restrictions around activity on and around the river, including many related to fishing, boating and swimming.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the focus was now firmly on recovery efforts.

"Just because the emergency management declaration is over doesn't mean that the state can forget the challenges that still confront river communities," he said.

"We stand at the ready as a government to respond accordingly."

At the peak of the flooding, about 4000 properties were inundated or impacted in some way.

Australian Associated Press