A new chapter of water security for 200,000 customers in southern Tasmania has been written. TasWater has officially opened its upgraded Bryn Estyn water treatment plant.
TasWater’s largest ever capital works project was delivered on time and under its $243.9 million budget. It will provide safe, clean, and reliable drinking water for generations of Tasmanians.
TasWater Chief Executive Officer George Theo said the opening marked a major milestone for Greater Hobart.
“This is a landmark day for southern Tasmania,” Theo said. “The upgrade of the Bryn Estyn water treatment plant ensures safe, clean drinking water will be available for generations of Tasmanians from Kempton to Snug, and New Norfolk to Sorell.”
Drinking water for around 200,000 customers is in safe hands. The new plant is able to treat 160 million litres of water per day.
“The plant has been designed for future population and economic growth in the region. It has the potential to be expanded to treat another 40 million litres of water per day if required,” he said. “During construction, the project employed around 1500 people directly, and 500 indirectly. “At its peak, around 150 people were working on site every day. This project generated great economic benefits for Tasmanian businesses across the state.”
Water from Bryn Estyn winds its way through 433km of water mains and into 145 reservoir tanks before reaching the taps. It will provide water for customers in Hobart, Glenorchy, Kingborough, Brighton, Derwent Valley, Southern Midlands, Sorell and Clarence.
TasWater’s Head of Water and Environment Services Fran Smith said the upgrade expanded the capacity for the organisation to deliver greater volumes of high-quality, safe drinking water for Hobart.
“To be able to treat and deliver 160 million litres of water every day, with every litre meeting the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, is not a small task,” she said. “Each drop of water that has passed through Bryn Estyn has been subjected to a treatment process. It includes filtration, ozone, absorption using activated carbon, chlorination, and now UV disinfection for an extra layer of treatment.
“Just last year alone across the state, we undertook 273,000 tests to ensure Tasmanians could turn on the tap with confidence knowing their water is absolutely safe to drink.”
“It’s an exciting day for our entire team.”
TasWater is currently delivering a planned 10-year, $1.84 billion capital investment program for completion in the financial year 2025-26.
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