What's New
5 February, 2025
New pipeline to bring water to the peninsula

The preferred route for the new water main
A two-year project is planned to replace the second of Devonport’s water mains to better secure supply to the lower peninsula.
Watercare has advised council the major project, involving a 4.5km pipeline replacement, will probably take place from mid-2026 to mid-2028.
The impact on Lake Rd traffic movements has yet to be quantified.
The work would support the Devonport water-supply zone, which serves around 12,300 people through 5622 metered connections, including the suburbs of Narrow Neck, Devonport, Stanley Point and Cheltenham, said Watercare’s water network planner Suresh Mudliar.
The zone has two water mains, with number one renewed in 1997, by slip lining the existing pipe which reduced its capacity. Should there be a problem with the second water main, it would struggle to maintain full supply to the area, said Mudliar.
“This [next] replacement aims to improve network resilience, reduce maintenance needs and increase capacity,” he said.
Mudliar said the second water main — made of asbestos cement — had reached the end of its serviceable life. It was installed in 1960 and was in poor condition.
Replacement with a 450mm diameter pipeline was in the design stages, with the preferred plan to follow and connect to the existing network. This would be cost-effective and minimise disruption to private and environmental sites, he said. It would also use the road corridor for future maintenance access.
During low-demand periods, the two water mains fill the Mt Victoria Reservoir*, which is drawn down during the day in periods of peak demand.
Mudliar said the first water main was originally a 310mm cement-lined steel pipe, but when it was renewed, a 280mm diameter pipe was installed through it. By decreasing reliance on this main, future disruptions in supply would be reduced.
Doing the mains work would also allow for maintenance to take place elsewhere on the network, including the reservoir.
This was the only storage reservoir and secondary supply available for the Devonport water-supply zone, Mudliar said.
“The reservoir has a storage of approximately 3.41 ML. It was constructed in 1896 and will require maintenance soon.”
- The reservoir sits beneath the air vent “mushrooms” on the tihi of Takarunga.

Please consider supporting The Devonport Flagstaff by clicking here: