Water restrictions expected for Hobart this summer despite heavy rains

The city has been drenched with heavy rainfalls for many weeks but water restrictions are likely for Hobart this summer. FIND OUT WHY >>

HOBART could be required to comply with water restrictions this summer, despite heavy rains inundating the state in recent weeks.

TasWater climate change strategy leader Luc Richard said the recent downpour had affected the water quality, creating challenges to meet demand.

“What we’ve been seeing in our catchments is that the heavy rain is stirring up sediment and suspending it in water and it’s causing turbidity,” Mr Richard said.

He said heavy rain in the River Derwent had also caused the plant to slow down.

Mr Richard said it meant problems adequately treating the water, meaning a greater reliance on storages.

“It means we can’t produce as much water as we like, which means less water for our customers,” Mr Richard said.

“We’re coming into summer now, that’s usually our biggest demand for the year.

“And with our border opening next month we expect that to be the same, that’s going to put additional pressure on our system.”

Mr Richard said the increased demand and the problems with water quality could mean water restrictions for Hobart.

“At this stage we think water restrictions will be likely in Hobart,” he said.

The Bryn Estyn water treatment plant. Picture: TasWater

The severity of the situation is still being assessed.

“If they do occur, we’ll start with stage one, which is trying to reduce non-essential water use by about 20 per cent.

“We may need to go to stage two but we’ll have to assess that as time comes.

“Any small changes people can make like reusing water in the gardens, using a washing machine or dishwasher when they’re full can help.”

Mr Richard said TasWater was implementing measures to help mitigate the problem.

“We’ve installed floating silk curtains at Ridgeway Dam, that helps keep sediment out of the networks,” he said.

“We’re designing some additional projects to help stabilise the banks so sediments can’t enter the water colony in the first place.”

TasWater’s Bryn Estyn water treatment plant, which supplies 60 per cent of Hobart’s drinking water, is currently undergoing a $200m upgrade, expected to address some of the issues.

“It will certainly assist with making sure we don’t have to go straight to water restrictions in the future,” TasWater project delivery general manager Tony Wilmot said.

“The new plant will treat 160 megalitres a day.”