16 Nov 2022
TasWater’s Annual Report celebrates major achievements and acknowledges challenges ahead
Following its ninth year of operations, TasWater has released its Annual Report for 2021-22, outlining significant achievements over the past 12 months, as well as identifying challenges and opportunities.
TasWater Chief Executive Officer George Theo said the year was a story of success and challenge, with the focus always on TasWater’s customers.
“TasWater’s operations over coming years face impacts from our changing climate, growing customer expectations, and continued competition for scarce water resources,” Mr Theo said.
“We will continue to build on the progress made over the past few years to ensure that we are well placed to respond effectively to these challenges.
“Pleasingly, we have achieved 100 per cent microbiological compliance for the fourth consecutive year, as we continue to provide our customers with access to safe drinking water.
“The last 12 months saw continued progress in accelerating our capital program with a record level $253.0 million investment.
“This program is delivering important customer and environmental outcomes for the benefit of all Tasmanians.”
As part of this capital program, work continued on the Bryn Estyn Water Treatment Plant upgrade, TasWater's largest ever capital project. This upgrade will provide water security for the Greater Hobart area for the next 50 years and will come on line mid next year.
The year also saw the completion of the $33.7 million Longford Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade and significant improvements to the safety of our dams. This includes the completion of upgrade works at Lake Mikany Dam near Smithton, the Upper Reservoir Dam upgrade in Hobart, and the completion of the Henderson Dam raising, providing water surety to the community of Whitemark on Flinders Island.
Planning works also progressed on the relocation of Macquarie Point Sewage Treatment Plant, the Launceston Sewer Improvement Plan and the kanamaluka / Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan, as well as new reservoirs to deliver water surety in Rosebery, Triabunna, Tunbridge and Coles Bay.
“In response to the strong progress of the Capital Works Program over the past two financial years, TasWater has executed the option to extend our Capital Delivery Office (CDO) alliance with UGL Limited and CPB Contractors, along with their sub alliance partner WSP. The alliance will continue to deliver our accelerated Capital Works Program through to July 2025.
“As a result of this decision, we will continue to directly support the Tasmanian economy and Tasmanian jobs, with over 80 per cent of the total value of packages awarded to 30 June 2022 being awarded to Tasmania-based suppliers.
“As outlined in detail in our Annual Report, our customers continue to receive a positive experience with the service we provide, with 98 per cent of customers expressing satisfaction with TasWater’s customer service.
“The year's successes would not have been realised without the passion, commitment and contribution of the Board, Executive and the dedication of all our staff and contractors, who I sincerely thank.
“I look forward to seeing TasWater realise even greater achievements in the years ahead to meet the expectations of our customers,” Mr Theo said.
The full TasWater 2021-2022 Annual Report can be read here: Publications | TasWater
Image above: Longford Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade, works in progress during 2021-2022