Five solar installations will be turned on - some within the coming weeks - in the Ballarat north and south wastewater treatment plants, Lal Lal and White Swan water treatment plants and the White Swan pump station.

Eventually, the new solar installations will have the capacity to make up 70 per cent of the authority's electricity load.

Central Highlands Water Managing Director Paul O'Donohue said the solar initiative has been driven by the community, who asked for improved sustainability of their water supply systems as a key priority.

"We are pleased to be able to deliver on that goal with this initiative, which is also a step forward in delivering our emissions reduction pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2025," Mr O'Donohue said.

The solar panels will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3745 tonnes per year and generate 3500 megawatt hours of renewable energy, equivalent to the annual energy use of 750 homes.

"The solar is designed so that the majority of the energy is used to power the treatment plants, and from time-to-time some of the renewable energy will be exported to the grid," Mr O'Donohue said.

CHW Sustainability Committee Chair Jodi Heath described the initiative as a game changer.

"It's great to see the water industry leading the sector in solar initiatives and reducing our carbon emissions, it's an absolute priority for us" she said.

"We had a fantastic engagement with out clients right across the region and we've listened to our customers of what they've asked of us."

It is hoped that any eventual savings from the solar initiative will be transferred onto customers.

"This was a priority in keeping household costs lower going forward. Any saving we make from our operating costs will be passed onto our customers," Ms Heath said.

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