16 Dec 2022
Securing Greater Hobart’s quality drinking water for the next 50 years
Residents of Greater Hobart will soon have improved drinking water reliability and long-term availability with the upcoming completion of the Bryn Estyn Water Treatment Plant upgrade, TasWater’s largest ever capital project.
While full commissioning is expected in the FY2023/24, TasWater’s General Manager Project Delivery Tony Willmott said all major structures and buildings on site were finished, with the project team now focusing on the completion of the mechanical and electrical packages across the site.
“In the early phase of the current works an incredible 11,456 cubic metres of concrete was poured, 2,800 tonnes of reinforcing steel placed, and over 93,000 cubic meters of soil was excavated,” Tony said.
The $243.9 million upgrade project improves operational efficiency by increasing capacity and modernising infrastructure, which enables the reliable supply of 160 million litres of water per day to our customers.
The upgrade is also future-focused, with the ability to cater for increased drinking water demand as the population grows.
Tony said it was rewarding to be able to deliver these benefits to the people of Greater Hobart.
“It will secure quality drinking water to the Greater Hobart area for the next 50 years,” he said.
“That represents 200,000 or more people in Southern Tasmania in the Local Government areas managed by the City of Hobart, Glenorchy City Council, Brighton Council, Derwent Valley Council, Kingborough Council, Sorell Council and Southern Midlands Council.
“The upgrade forms part of our $1.1 billion capital works program of high-quality projects over the next four years.
“The capital program is delivering important customer and environmental outcomes for the benefit of all Tasmanians,” Tony said.
The Bryn Estyn Water Treatment Plant, north of Hobart in the Derwent Valley, was built in 1962 with capacity augmentations completed in 1972 and 1992. It is greater Hobart’s primary source of drinking water, providing, on average, 60 per cent of a resident’s water supply every year.