TasWater reopens Tullah Water Treatment Plant as clean-up effort at Lake Rosebery continues

After having been closed for weeks due to an oil spill on the lake, a West Coast water treatment plant has reopened.

Oil slick can be seen at Lake Rosebery on 24 January 2025. Picture: Darren Briggs

The Tullah Water Treatment Plant has been reopened as the clean-up effort at Lake Rosebery continues.

Oil on the shore of Lake Rosebery. Picture: Supplied

The water treatment plant closed after an estimated 4500L of oil entered the lake following heavy rainfall on January 12.

Historical infrastructure that had been used to store oil spilt into Lake Rosebery, resulting in its closure to the public and triggering a clean-up effort.

At this stage, the lake will not be reopened to the public until February 15.

TasWater Incident Controller Matt Jordan said sampling showed the supply to the Tullah plant was no longer affected.

“Multiple intake water samples taken from the site have not detected any contamination,” Mr Jordan said.

“Given that and the fact that our intake is approximately 26 metres below the water surface and some distance from the shore, we are confident we can safely resume supply at Tullah, with a number of operational precautions in place.”

Tullah’s water treatment plant has been reopened.

Mr Jordan said onsite operators will run the treatment plant manually to allow for additional system checks, with water quality sampling to continue for the next four weeks.

“We appreciate everyone’s efforts to conserve water while we continue to deal with the impact of the oil spill.

“We will continue to work with the Department of Health to ensure that any risks to public health are mitigated.”

While the Tullah treatment plant was closed, trucks transported water to the town.

The Environmental Protection Authority said it was continuing to clear Lake Rosebery of oil.

“Clean-up operations at Lake Rosebery are progressing well at identified priority areas, based on the degree of oiling and public accessibility and health,” a spokesperson said.

“A total of 1330 metres of shoreline has been recorded as cleaned, and approximately 43 cubic metres of oiled green waste has been removed from affected areas.

“Lake Rosebery has been declared a ‘Prohibited Area’ by MAST, encompassing all waters of Lake Rosebery, until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, 14 February 2025, unless cancelled sooner; an announcement on whether the closure will be extended will be made prior to 14 February 2025.”

Originally published as TasWater reopens Tullah Water Treatment Plant as clean-up effort at Lake Rosebery continues