TasWater confirms customer feedback and water testing over the last few days indicate a return of an earthy taste in parts of Hobart’s water supply.
Customers will recall last summer a period of where water contained an earthy flavour and in some areas was odorous.
While the water may take on the taste, its quality is not affected and is completely safe to drink.
TasWater CEO Michael Brewster says after extensive testing TasWater has identified very low levels of Methyl-Isoborneol (MIB) in the water, produced by the presence of algae in the raw water source.
Michael Brewster says “this is at the lower end at which the taste is noticeable and has been reported by customers in areas of as diverse as New Norfolk, the eastern shore down to Lauderdale and in parts of Glenorchy, central Hobart and Sandy Bay.”
“TasWater has already commenced carbon dosing at the Bryn Estyn water treatment plant as a means of removing the taste and odour from the water.
“This is a process carried out across the country in response to taste and odour issues and is similar to what was undertaken last summer by TasWater in a number of treatment plants.”
Carbon dosing equipment installed at Bryn Estyn earlier this year remains in place and is currently operating. TasWater is also installing new equipment to come on line in December to further increase capacity to control taste and odour in warmer months.
It’s anticipated carbon dosing will result in the water returning to its usual quality by the end of this week with the impact being evidenced a little later at the extremities of the Hobart water network.
TasWater assures customers the taste and odour is caused by a naturally occurring algae and the water is completely safe to drink.
Mr Brewster says “we have not been able to clearly identify or locate the source of the algae but testing will continue hand in hand with the carbon dosing process to mitigate the impact on water users.”
“We apologise for any inconvenience but stress, the water is safe to drink.
Simon Pilkington, TasWater
