Murray St tenancies inundated with water after burst water main cuts off service

Businesses are back up and running after a burst water main erupted through the pavement and cut off water supplies. One shop owner is grateful for the quick action. VIDEO + LATEST >>

Jack Evans, Navarone Farrell and James Kitto

2 min read

November 20, 2020 - 12:59PM

Tasmania

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FRIDAY UPDATE:

BUSINESS owners are delighted to open for trade after serious flooding plagued Hobart’s CBD yesterday afternoon.

Murray St menswear store Routleys had water enter the store around 2pm after a burst water main outside the shop caused widespread street flooding which led to traffic and trade disruptions.

Routleys menswear a day after Murray St flooding.

Store owner Paul Herszykowski this morning said he was pleasantly surprised.

“When I saw the flooding I thought ‘oh no’ and wasn’t sure if we’d be trading today,” he said.

“We certainly need to trade in these tough times. TasWater and the guys overnight have done a fantastic job putting it all back together again.”

Mr Herszykowski said the business had blocked off the front section of the shop front on Friday morning to allow wet carpet to dry.

He said no long term damage was expected.

THURSDAY:
SHOPS in Hobart’s CBD were inundated with water afternoon after a water main erupted through the pavement and cut off supplies for four hours.

Water was cut to CBD buildings after the incident on Murray St, which occurred just before 2pm.

A small section of the footpath needed to be dug up to access the pipe. Murray St store, Routleys Menswear was one of the stores affected.

Store manager Paul Herszykowski said he saw water climb slowly up the glass walls of the store and that the burst main sent tiles, gravel and sand flying.

Flooding along Murray Street. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“We’ve got a fair bit of water damage on the carpet but we were quick enough to move all of the stock out of the window where the main water flow was … the water actually came up the glass, about 10cm up the glass,” he said.

“All of a sudden it started to leak under the window frames.

“Unfortunately the water ran for about 45 minutes before they could turn it off … all the pavers on the footpath it’s like there’s been little volcanoes set off from the pipe bursting like that, it threw all the tiles up in the air and the gravel and the sand.”

Flooding along Murray Street. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Store manager at Routleys, Paul Herczykowski as his store was affected by the flooding along Murray Street. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Herszykowski said carpet cleaners would arrive overnight in attempts to dry out the store.

He said the store is still open – but it is difficult to access.

Water was cut for approximately four hours and was returned by 6pm, according to TasWater.

Any business affected by the burst main is encouraged to call their contact centre on 13 69 92.

For more information see TasWater’s website.

EARLIER, 2.10PM: WATER has flooded the Hobart CBD due to a burst water main.

Photos and footage from the scene appears to show water in parts up to a foot deep.

A Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management spokeswoman said motorists in the area should expect delays.

flooding in Murray Street outside Routleys in Hobart's CBD

“Motorists are advised that Murray St has been reduced to one lane of traffic between Liverpool and Collins Streets due to a burst water main,” the spokeswoman said.