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.