Some businesses in the Hobart CBD were forced to close this morning after a burst water main cut their water supply.
TasWater crews responded to the burst at the corner of Liverpool and Criterion streets at 6:15am on Monday.
TasWater said a failed fitting on the main caused the incident.
Cafes including Criterion Street Cafe and Villino Coffee Roasters were closed.
Villino’s takeaway shop, Ecru, reopened at 9am with a coffee cart supplying its own water to the site.
TasWater said water was restored at 9:15am.
At midday, a restaurant on Criterion Street said it had limited water supply and lower pressure than normal.
The street was still closed to traffic at 12:15pm. Crews told Pulse they were waiting for asphalt to dry and still needed to clean up the area.
TasWater head of communications and engagement Liz Hafner said staff spoke in person with local businesses that were open before water was restored.
“We appreciate that any unplanned interruption to water supply can be challenging for businesses that rely on water to operate,” she said.
“Much of the essential water infrastructure beneath Hobart’s CBD, including Liverpool and Criterion streets, is ageing.”
“Incidents such as this highlight the importance of ongoing investment in renewing and upgrading critical infrastructure to maintain reliable services for the community.”
Hafner said the utility would invest $1.2 billion in infrastructure across Tasmania over the next four years to renew ageing assets and improve the reliability of its services.
“We thank affected businesses for their understanding while repairs were completed and water was restored,” she said.
