A new 885-metre pipeline across Spring Bay

The subsea pipeline that carried water between Orford and Triabunna across Spring Bay had experienced several failures due to corrosion of the underwater anchors. These failures made the pipe vulnerable to movement from tides and currents, leading to breaks in the pipe joints.

Because the pipeline sat on the seabed, it was difficult to access and repair, often requiring professional divers and resulting in longer-than-usual outages. If a break occurred during peak periods, limited availability of specialist contractors could impact TasWater’s ability to maintain water supply to some customers.

To address this, we installed a new 885-metre pipeline, complete with concrete anchors every 10 metres along the seabed. This upgrade protects the pipe from movement and supports a more reliable, long-term supply of quality water for the region. The new pipeline connects into the existing water network at both shores through excavated trenches.