TasWater is investigating taste and odour issues reported across Hobart.

The TasWater call centre has received around 55 reports over recent weeks from different parts of Hobart and investigations have been ongoing to determine the precise cause.

TasWater CEO Mike Brewster said that current data shows that the taste and odour is most likely developing within the water mains (pipes) as testing of treated water at Bryn Estyn, Lake Fenton and Lower Reservoir show the water at its source is not affected.

“While we are investigating the problem, we want to reiterate that routine testing of water in the distribution system consistently shows that the water meets national safe drinking water standards,” Mr Brewster said.

“We have a comprehensive testing regime on all our drinking water distribution systems, with greater Hobart having more than 6000 tests a year from 80 sites. These tests identify the presence and amount of microbes, metals, pesticides and fluoride,” he said.

TasWater work with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure results are properly analysed and are monitored for compliance with the health limits specified in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

“This investigation is complex. We have more than 2,500km of pipeline covering the affected area and the intermittent nature of the complaints makes modelling the source of the problem difficult,” he said.
“The more information we can gather from customers, the faster we will be able to pinpoint the issue and treat the problem. I urge anyone experiencing odour or taste irregularities with their water to contact our call centre on 13 6992,” Mr Brewster said.

Greater Hobart gets water from three primary sources of water:

 River Derwent, through Bryn Estyn Water Treatment Plant – indicatively 60% of supply
 Lake Fenton – indicatively 20% of supply
 Hobart Mountain (i.e. Mount Wellington) – indicatively 20% of supply
Treatment facilities
 One Water Treatment Plant – Bryn Estyn
 16 dosing stations (disinfection)
Storages
 Nine reservoir dams in the supply system
 96 storage sites (excluding clear water storages, etc. used within WTP)
 107 storage sites, comprising of 152 individual tanks (including clear water storages, etc. used within WTP)
Bulk water mains (pipelines)
 419 km in length
 Average age 52 years; earliest records go back to 1917
Reticulation mains (pipelines) (not including property connections)
 2,172km in length
 Average age 34 years; earliest records go back to 1920
No. of connections
 85,218
Number of drinking water tests
 6100 per annum
Number of water test sites
 80
Simon Pilkington, TasWater