It’s cheers to clean water

24GLASSES: MISSION COMPLETE

AFTER two years of hard work by the state’s water company, Taswater has confirmed it has delivered on its promise to remove Public Health Alerts (PHAs) from regional towns across Tasmania ahead of the planned August 31 deadline.

In August 2016, Tas Water set the goal of lifting Boil Water Alerts and Do Not Consume notices from affected towns.

Despite the tight timeline, it has been done, enabling customers to drink water straight from the tap.

The PHAs impacted on a total of 28 towns and communities. Under the 24glasses Regional Towns Water Supply Program, Tas Water staff and contractors committed to the cause and put in place solutions to the drinking water issues.

In two years, Tas Water has been able to address the water quality issues in all these regional towns across Tasmania, and has managed to provide customers in these communities with water that meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

The program has helped regional towns all over the state, such as Avoca and Mathinna in the North-East. taswater chief executive Michael Brewster said Mathinna was the 20th town to have health alerts on the drinking of water lifted as part of the program.

“I’m really pleased that Taswater has met its commitment to Mathinna,” Mr Brewster said.

“The new treatment plant has all the available technology to accommodate the challenge of high level of turbidity in the water of the South Esk River during periods of high rainfall.

“This new treatment plant is a very significant investment in the town’s infrastructure and I am satisfied it will serve the community for many, many years to come.”

Taswater chairman Miles Hampton said the result of the 24glasses Regional Towns Water Supply Program was a historic development for the Tasmanian community.

“Drinking water infrastructure, like roads, electricity and transport networks, underpin the economic and social struc- ture of a community,” Mr Hampton said.

“The benefits to local communities and economies cannot be over-estimated, with good quality infrastructure, a key to their prosperity.

“Many of these projects have been located in small, isolated communities where support services have been limited and the environment harsh.

“To bring Tasmanian services up to a standard which match the best in Australia is fantastic.”