BOIL WATER ALERT UPDATE – GREENVALE TOWNSHIP
The Greenvale township and catchment remains under a boil water advisory (Amber Alert) due to ongoing Water Treatment Plant upgrade works to return elevated turbidity levels to safe levels for consumption. Residents are advised to take precautionary measures regarding their drinking water.
The Water Treatment Plant has been undergoing works to reduce the threat further and is awaiting Filter Media (specific to the process) to finalise the Treatment Process and reduce the threat Level to a Potable Water Supply. This process takes a significant number of processes and verification, which council will ensure occurs to release a quality-controlled water supply.
Current Details are as follows:
ALERT DETAILS:
Alert Commencement Date: 13 December 2023
Affected Area: Greenvale township and catchment area
Alert Duration: Until further notice (potentially removed within the coming 6 weeks should planning, materials supply, testing and approvals be successful undertaken. Some materials have been delivered however Council is still waiting for the remainder to be arrive.)
The upgraded Water Treatment Plant is mechanically sound and operable however, the higher turbidity levels are still present therefore the alert must remain in place until this is rectified. To reduce the turbidity levels to a compliant standard, the filtration media requires replacement which is currently awaiting delivery to Council. The team is prepared to act and undertake required works as soon as the filtration media is delivered which will then allow for required testing, sampling and approvals to be undertaken and processed. Unfortunately the delivery of the filtration media is out of Councils control however the team are well prepared to act as soon as able to. The elevated turbidity levels have impacted the disinfection process of the potable water supply, necessitating a precautionary boil water alert to ensure the safety of our residents.
All residents in the Greenvale township and catchment area are advised to boil tap water used for drinking purposes until Council and Queensland Health are confident that there is no longer a public health concern and will advise if any changes are made to the Alert Level.
As a result, Council will no longer be issuing bottled water as this process is no longer required.
Consuming unboiled drinking water could lead to illness, particularly for vulnerable individuals, such as the very young, elderly, or those with weak immune systems. If you believe the water has made you sick, please contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), your local doctor, or local hospital and inform them of your concerns.
Residents are advised to use cooled boiled water or bottled water for the following:
- Drinking
- Brushing teeth
- Preparing and cooking foods
- Washing raw foods such as fruit and vegetables
- Preparing beverages and making ice
- Preparing baby formula
- Sponge-bathing infants
Unboiled drinking water can be used for:
- Showering and bathing (other than infants, avoiding water ingestion)
- Washing dishes by hand or in a dishwasher
- Washing clothes
- Flushing toilets
Residents are encouraged to bring drinking water to a rolling boil and then allow it to cool before using or storing it in a clean, closed container for later use. Kettles with automatic cut-off switches are suitable for producing boiled water, and variable temperature kettles should be set to boil.
Please share this alert with your neighbours and friends to ensure widespread awareness and adherence to the boil water advisory.
Council is actively monitoring the situation and will provide regular updates. The boil water alert will remain in effect until both Council and Queensland Health are confident there is no longer a public health concern.
For more information, visit www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au or contact Council’s Manager Water & Wastewater, Joe Galea on 07 4761 5300.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period. Your health and safety remain our top priority.