Residents of Whitemark on Flinders Island have good cause for celebration today with TasWater in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services confirming the town’s long standing do not consume alert has been lifted.
TasWater CEO Michael Brewster said it is great news for both residents of Whitemark and the broader Flinders Island community that the water is now fully drinkable straight from the tap.
Restrictions on the use of water in Whitemark have been in place since May 2011 due to the presence of lead in the water supply.
“The lifting of the do not consume alert is the result of TasWater building a new water treatment plant.”
“Whitemark’s water will continue to be sourced from the South Pats River where it will be pumped to the existing raw water storage reservoirs before being treated at the new Cannes Hill water treatment plant. The fully treated water, having undergone a process of membrane filtration, UV disinfection and chlorination, will be stored in a new treated water storage tank and then distributed to Whitemark.”
It will be this water that residents will be able to drink straight form the tap, confident it meets Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
“TasWater is really pleased to be able to make today’s announcement as it backs up our commitment to every corner of Tasmania,” Michael Brewster said.
“The Whitemark treatment plant and additional facilities have cost in excess of $4 million and represents a significant piece of infrastructure which will serve the community well into the future.”
Whitemark is the latest community to benefit from TasWater’s 24 Glasses program to remove restrictions on the drinking of water in 24 small towns and communities across Tasmania over two years.
TasWater
