Ellendale boil water alert lifted

TasWater has good news for the residents of Ellendale, lifting its long standing boil water alert.

TasWater has completed the installation of an improved filtration process at Ellendale’s water treatment plant to provide a supply which meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the provisions of the Tasmanian Public Health Act (1997).

Following extensive testing in the plant since December last year, the Department of Health and Human Services has now confirmed the official end to the need for residents to boil their water.

Like all TasWater supplies, Ellendale’s will continue to be monitored and tested regularly to ensure it meets water quality standards into the future.

“I am really pleased to be able to formally lift Ellendale’s boil water alert as it is one of our top priorities to supply small towns across the state with good quality drinking water,” TasWater’s CEO, Michael Brewster said.

“Over the next three years TasWater plans to spend more than $330 million on upgrading water and sewerage facilities and reducing the number of town on boil water alerts or do not consume notices from 26 down to eight by 2018.”

“Progress is also being made elsewhere in Tasmania. A 29km pipeline from Fingal to Avoca has been approved for construction. This will connect the town to a brand new water treatment plant at Fingal which is going through a rigorous testing program to ensure it meets Australian Water Quality Guidelines.

“Other projects underway include a new 28km water supply pipeline on King Island to upgrade water to the towns of Currie and Grassy, and water treatment plants undergoing design for the Flinders Island towns of Whitemark and Lady Barren as well as Rosebery and Ringarooma,” he said.

The Ringarooma Water Treatment Plant will also provide drinking water for the towns of Derby, Legerwood and Branxholm.

Tasmanian company Stornoway has just constructed a treatment plant at Tunbridge and Ouse, with water from Ouse being piped to Hamilton, again through a brand new 14km pipe which will come on-line in a few months.

Stornoway Chief Executive Officer, Brad Johnson says his company is delighted to have been awarded the contract to build plants at Ouse and Tunbridge.

He says Stornoway has a long history of delivering significant and important services and projects in Tasmania, and values the opportunity to deliver new state of the art, water treatment facilities for the State’s communities.

“Stornoway has developed a strong working relationship with TasWater, and is very pleased to be involved in projects which mitigate boiled water alert issues.

“We’re currently delivering the construction projects at Ouse and Tunbridge in addition to providing operations and maintenance services for King Island’s water and sewage services. We look forward to continuing to work with TasWater to fulfil their community infrastructure needs,” Mr Johnson said.

Mr Brewster says “with TasWater approaching its second anniversary since taking over Tasmania’s three regional water bodies, the restructure is well and truly starting to demonstrate the benefits of one strong and coordinated organisation to manage Tasmania’s water and sewerage services.”

TasWater thanked residents in Ellendale for their ongoing support and patience and looks forward to maintaining a reliable and safe drinking water supply for locals and visitors.
Simon Pilkington, TasWater