TasWater has begun work on replacing two 80-year-old water mains in Liverpool and Murray Streets in central Hobart.
The replacement works followed major bursts in late 2024 and January, damaging road infrastructure and flooding nearby businesses.
TasWater Acting General Manager Project Delivery Tim Cubit said site work has begun and is expected to take around three months to complete.
It will include replacing a 150-millimetre (mm) main section on Liverpool Street between Harrington and Murray Streets and a 150-mm main section on Murray Street between Collins and Liverpool Streets.
We’ve been working around the clock to bring forward a project to replace the water main in Liverpool and Murray Streets since the first failure in December,” Cubit said. “We understand the frustration felt by businesses and the disruption to the community and want to assure them that we are swiftly rectifying the issue.
“The first burst caused damage to the road surface and flooded nearby businesses before bursting again a few days later, only 12 metres from the first repair,” he said. “Much of the water and sewage infrastructure in the Hobart CBD dates back generations – even as far back as World War II times – including a section of the water main in Liverpool Street and Murray Street, which can be traced back to the 1940s.”
TasWater will also look to complete other renewals while undertaking the project, which will be undertaken at night to minimise disruption to traffic and the community.
“This could include removing redundant assets and connections, renewing water meters, installing new valves, and relocating others to better suit ongoing operational work,” Mr Cubit said. “There will be some disruption to motorists during the day as the area will need to be secured, but we are hoping it will only be minimal.”
TasWater is investing $1.9 billion in its network over the next five years to ensure it can continue to deliver exceptional water and sewerage services for a thriving Tasmania.
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