4.15pm: Council has confirmed eight properties have been seriously damaged as a result of this morning’s water main failure and it could be days before the cost of the flooding is known.
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Council crews are still repairing the mains and people in living in Mount Falcon, Nemingha and the river-side of Armidale might be without water or have very poor pressure for a few more hours yet.
There were fears a nearby power pole could have been undermined by the flooding, however, Essential Energy crews have worked to shore-up the pole near the Abraham Lincoln Motel.
“Essential Energy has worked with Tamworth Regional Council today (Monday) to ensure the safety of Council employees, and to ensure the electricity supply remained unaffected for the majority of customers, while repairs to the burst water pipe have taken place,” manager of community relations northern David Crough said.
“Excavation works were required near the power pole to allow repairs to the water pipe, and an Essential Energy crane borer was used to support the power pole during this process.”
11.15am: At least 10 properties have been inundated by water in East Tamworth this morning after a water main failed on Armidale Road.
Tamworth Regional Council is helping with the clean-up and is organising emergency accommodation for affected residents.
Director of water and waste Bruce Logan said it was a 500 millimeter main, installed in the 1950s, which failed in the early hours of Monday morning.
More to come.
9.00am: All service has been re-established in East Tamworth after a water main burst after 5am on Monday morning.
The main burst near Quest Apartments and cut off supply to some residents in East Tamworth and Nemingha.
Some homes downhill have been flooded as a result of the break.
Affected residents have been urged to take photos of any damage before they start cleaning-up.
Council’s director of water and waste, Bruce Logan, is expected to address the media about the break at 10.30am.
8.00am: A WATER main has burst in East Tamworth and is expected to leave residents in the area, and in Nemingha, with low pressure until at least lunch time.
Tamworth Regional Council crews are currently working to fix the break and restore services.
Council has warned residents in East Tamworth and Nemingha might get cloudy water after the main is repaired and flushed.
READ MORE:
Updates will be posted through council’s social media sites.
Council posted to its Facebook page at 6am on Monday morning to alert residents the water main had broken.
There has been reports some homes have been affected by water damage as a result of the burst main.
If your home has been affected, take photos and call council at 6766 5555 or 1300 733 625 as soon as possible.
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
