Key historical milestones
Key milestones in the history of water in Tasmania and Hobart Water are listed below and show the rich tapestry which has lead to our current water supply.
|
Year |
What happened... |
|---|---|
|
1861 |
Lower Reservoir (now part of Waterworks in South Hobart) was built. This is Australia’s second oldest dam. |
| 1888 |
Upper Reservoir was built. Stone aqueducts were built between Fern Tree and Upper and Lower Reservoirs to channel water into the dams. |
| 1889 |
Further channels were created to take water from North West Bay River and St Crispins Well on Mt Wellington down into Upper and Lower Reservoirs. Work began on the Tolosa Street Reservoir in Glenorchy. |
| 1919 |
Ridgeway Reservoir in Hobart was built. |
| 1924 |
Lime Kiln Gully Reservoir was built in Glenorchy. |
| 1939 |
Lake Fenton was dammed and a pipeline built from Mount Field National Park to Lower Reservoir. |
| 1948 |
Southern Regional Water Supply was created to take water from the Derwent River at Lawitta, to Clarence on the eastern shore. |
| 1951 |
This supply was extended to Brighton, Green Ponds and Richmond. |
| 1954 |
The Knights Creek Reservoir was built at Glenorchy. |
| 1961 |
West Derwent Water Supply was created to transport water from the Derwent River at New Norfolk, to Hobart. |
| 1962 |
Metropolitan Water Board was created to manage Hobart’s metropolitan and bulk water supply needs. |
| 1964 |
Pipes were placed across the Tasman Bridge to augment Clarence’s water supply |
| 1965 |
The Flagstaff Gully Reservoir in Clarence was built. Water was then available to Sorell, Cambridge, Seven Mile Beach, Lauderdale and Rokeby |
| 1966 |
Kingston, Blackman’s Bay, Howden, Margate and Snug received water. |
| 1968 |
Risdon Brook Dam on the eastern shore was built |
| 1968 |
The Bryn Estyn Treatment Plant was completed and began supplying water into the Southern Regional Supply |
| 1985 |
Pipelines were placed across the Bowen Bridge to augment Clarence’s water supply |
| 1994 |
Bryn Estyn Treatment Plant expanded |
| 1997 |
The State Government handed ownership of the Metropolitan Water Board to local councils in and around Hobart. It was renamed the Hobart Regional Water Authority and began trading as Hobart Water. |
| 2005 |
Bryn Estyn Treatment Plant underwent a major electrical upgrade |