Orford and Triabunna water supply pipeline completed

A new 886-metre underwater pipeline going across Spring Bay has been completed.

It replaces an existing 76-year-old cast-iron cement pipeline and will supply water to Orford and Triabunna.

TasWater’s Acting Head of Renewals, Mark Thomasson, said the project marks a significant step in improving water supply reliability after the previous pipeline had corrosion issues.

“We are committed to ensuring that our communities have access to a consistent and high-quality water supply, and this upgrade will provide the long-term security and resilience needed for the future,” Mr Thomasson said.

“The current pipeline, which transfers water between Orford and Triabunna, has faced several failures due to corrosion of the underwater anchors.

“These failures have made the pipeline increasingly vulnerable to damage from tides and currents, leading to breaks in the pipe joints.

“As the pipeline sits on the seabed, accessing and repairing the damage has proven difficult, often requiring professional divers and causing longer-than-usual outages.”

The new pipeline has concrete anchors placed every 10 metres along the seabed to prevent movement and will be connected to the existing water network on both shores through excavated trenches.

TasWater says it is investing $2 billion in its network over the next five years.

To fund its planned upgrades, the company has applied to the Tasmanian Economic Regulator to increase water bill prices by 8.8 per cent each year between 2026 and 2030.

Modelling suggests that in the next four years, the average Tasmanian household will see its water bills rise by almost 40 per cent.

The Tasmanian Economic Regulator will make its final decision in May 2026.