Water and sewerage services in Tasmania are provided by TasWater, a council and State Government owned corporation established by the Water and Sewerage Corporation Act 2012. TasWater is licensed under the Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008 and is subject to economic, environmental and health regulation by independent regulatory bodies.
On 1 May 2018, the Government, TasWater and the Chief Owners' Representative of TasWater signed a Memorandum of Understanding to progress reforms of the water and sewerage industry.
The purpose of the reforms was to facilitate ongoing cooperation between TasWater, the State Government and councils to enable TasWater to accelerate water and sewerage infrastructure investment to meet health and environmental standards; deliver water and sewerage services to Tasmanians at more affordable prices; and progress projects of special significance to the State.
Between 2018-19 and 2023-24, the Government provided a total of $200 million in equity to TasWater in exchange for 10 per cent of the total shares on issue in TasWater. The Government's shareholding does not include any entitlement to dividends from TasWater.
As a part-owner, the Crown has special governance rights including: the right to jointly, with councils, approve the corporate plan; the right for the Crown's Owner's Representative to be on the TasWater Board Selection Committee; and the right to be consulted on the appointment of the CEO.
General Information
Information on the current economic regulation of Tasmania's water and sewerage industry is available on the website of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator at www.economicregulator.tas.gov.au.
The Regulator's State of the Industry Reports provide information on the performance of the Tasmanian water and sewerage industry.
The Regulator's Final Reports and Price Determination, together with TasWater's approved Price and Service Plans, are available on the water pricing page of the Regulator's website.
The Environment Protection Authority's Annual Reports provide information on the performance of TasWater's wastewater treatment plants.
If you have concerns relating to water and sewerage services or accounts, TasWater can be contacted by telephone on 13 6992, or email to enquiries@taswater.com.au. More information about TasWater can be obtained from its website, www.taswater.com.au.
If you are unhappy with the response provided by TasWater in relation to your water and sewerage services or account, you may wish to raise the matter with the Tasmanian Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman can be contacted by telephone on 1800 001 170 or email to: ombudsman@ombudsman.tas.gov.au.
Current Legislation