TasWater has confirmed six new water treatment plants and a new reservoir will be built to service Tasmania’s Derwent Valley and Central Highlands areas.
The Central Highlands townships of Wayatinah and Bronte Park will be serviced by brand new water treatment plants with details of the plans for the new water systems outlined to residents at community meetings.
Wayatinah’s new treatment plant will be built adjacent to Lake Liapootah near the existing pump station with water for the new treatment plant continuing to be sourced from the lake. The treated water will then be stored in a new reservoir to be built just north west of the town.
Bronte Park will also be provided with a new treatment plant, upgrading the water supply which TasWater took responsibility for in 2016. Water will continue to be sourced from the Bronte Canal, which transfers water from the Nive River, and will be stored in the existing concrete tank reservoirs following treatment.
Work on upgrading the water systems in both towns will start in a matter of weeks with national company Trility building the treatment plants in module form at a new facility in Launceston, and then located on site.
TasWater has also signed a contract with local Tasmanian company Stornoway to install water treatment plants for Maydena and National Park, and a water treatment plant for Westerway and Fentonbury, located at the existing Fentonbury service reservoir site.
All these communities will be receiving fully treated water by September 2018 with Boil Water Alerts lifted after stringent testing overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services is complete.
The provision of new water treatment plants is part of TasWater’s commitment to provide all its customers with water which meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines by August, 2018.
TasWater CEO, Michael Brewster, said the supply of fully treated water will be great news for the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands region.
“It will bring not only benefits for residents but hopefully provide increased confidence to business, especially in the accommodation and tourism sector,” Mr Brewster said.
“So far this year, TasWater has been able to announce the removed of 10 of public health alerts in relation to water consumption with another 16 to be lifted over the next 12 months. While it is a big job and has taken time, I am confident our well-structured plan will provide the best available solutions to supply water to many of our small regional communities in a cost effective and sustainable way.”
