Water gripes rise as TasWater faced with aging infrastructure

COMPLAINTS to TasWater were up in the last financial year, with concerns about water quality forming the biggest group of concerns.

Gretna residents Gordon Wadsworth and Kate Barnett delivered letters of protest to Premier Will Hodgman with regard to the state of the town’s water. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

COMPLAINTS to TasWater were up in the last financial year, with concerns about water quality forming the biggest group of concerns.

The 2015-16 annual report for the state water corporation shows ageing infrastructure and dry weather contributed to the year’s challenges.

TasWater received almost 2892 complaints in the 2015-16 financial year, which was a rate of 13.8 complaints per every 1000 connected properties — up from a rate of 11.3 in the previous financial year.

The largest group of complaints was about water quality, at 38 per cent.

Last summer proved challenging for water surety, with an extended dry period placing strain on water supply systems and requiring water restrictions in several towns across the state.

Low rainfall and river flow also led to taste and odour issues in several water supplies, including Hobart.

There were 109 dry weather sewage spills last year, which was more than the 91 in the previous financial year.

MORE: BITTER REALITY OF DIRTY WATER WOES BEGINS TO BITE

The TasWater report says ageing water and sewage infrastructure is failing faster than it can be repaired.

“It is of considerable concern that, notwithstanding the increased investment in infrastructure improvements, the annual targets for drinking water system compliance and sewage volumes compliance were not met,” says TasWater in its 2015-16 report.

The corporation says its failure to meet targets last financial year were due to:

SOME infrastructure “failing faster than we can repair and improve it”, leading to an overdue renewals backlog worth $655 million.

EXTENDED dry weather affecting sewerage systems.

DELAYS in completion of some projects.

There were 23 towns on long-term boil water alerts at the end of June because of bacteria or metal contaminants.

While this was three fewer towns than the 26 in the previous year, it was well ahead of TasWater’s target of 11 or fewer towns.

TasWater has committed to improving water quality issues, with an aim of removing all permanent “boil water” alerts of “do not consume” alerts within two years.

MORE: GRETNA RESIDENTS DEMAND ACTION ON WATER QUALITY

TasWater says it is committed to tackling water quality issues though “challenges remain”.

The corporation spent $129 on capital expenditure in 2015-16, up from $102 million the previous year.

Over the course of the year, 466 capital projects were undertaken, 270 completed and 305 continuing into next year.

Major projects under way at the end of June include water supplies at Rosebery, Avoca, Mole Creek, Winnaleah and Gretna (which will take in Bushy Park and Glenora).

Gretna resident Kate Barnett said her town was still on a boil water alert, with tap water running brown and muddy during periods of heavy rain.

“The water is as brown as brown, because it comes straight from the river,” she said.

“You may as well go play in the mud.”

Mrs Barnett said the “Third World” standards remained despite almost seven years of lobbying and a promise it would be improved earlier this year.

Originally published as Water gripes rise as TasWater faced with aging infrastructure