Greenvale Water

Council continues to provide bottled water and investigate options.  No further actions to report.

Bottled water distribution continues, as per the provided Council notice and schedule.   Forward planning for scheduled delivery of bottled water supplies continues, with stocks being monitored carefully due to demand increasing.

The extraction of water from the Burdekin River, and the treatment and water reticulation network provided to the Greenvale community is operating as it has since it was transferred to Council in the early 2000s. 

Since then, Council has been managing the system and complying with water quality standards.

More recently, Council has entered into discussions with the ASMTI (Australian Singapore Military Training Initiative) to provide new drinking water and wastewater treatment systems for the community. 

Prior to Christmas 2022, there was a process failure at the Greenvale Water Treatment Plant that caused excess chlorination and increased chlorate levels in the water supply.  

This was a reportable incident and Council advised the regulator, Queensland Health that it had occurred.

The water supply was in normal operation a few days after the incident, however due to a change in Queensland Health Water Quality Standards, Queensland Health have since directed Council to notify the community that the water supply is ‘Non-Potable’; that is, not fit for human consumption.

National Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) have a higher threshold rate for chlorates, and the Greenvale water supply is within those standards, however Queensland Health has determined a more cautious approach and has lower acceptable thresholds.

Council is currently providing bottled drinking water to the community and will continue to do so until there is a viable alternative potable water supply. 

While the water is deemed non-potable, it can still be used for other household purposes such as washing and for use for pets and plants, but cannot be consumed, that is, not to be used to drink or to use for cooking purposes.

The timeframe to implement a robust and appropriate solution will take approximately 12 months, with an estimated cost in the region of $3 – $4 million, to be undertaken in 2 stages:

• Stage 1 will involve a modified chlorination system which can be installed within 6 months.
• Stage 2 will involve further works addressing all issues and provide a water source classified as potable, which will take up to another 6 months. 

Council has completed concept designs and is now undertaking a detailed design and construction program in conjunction with the ASMTI project.

Council acknowledges that the current arrangements represent a significant impact to the community and ask for patience whilst the delivery of an improved water supply is sourced and installed.  

Due to the scale and technical issues of the project, Council is not able to address the water supply issues in the short-term but is committed to providing a robust long-term solution for the community.

Council continues to provide bottled water and investigate options.  No further actions to report.

Council continues to provide bottled water and investigate options.  No further actions to report.

Council continues to provide bottled water and investigate options.  No further actions to report.

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councillors visited Greenvale with the CEO and Council Officers on Friday, 27 January 2023 to update and inform the community about the current situation with the drinking water supply and Council’s action plan to address the problem.

While the water supply is declared Non-Potable, Council will continue to provide alternative supply via bottled water.  In response to requests from the community, some drinking water will also be provided in containers with taps rather than screw top bottles.

Council has engaged a consultant to assess the situation, consider alternative methods to improve water quality, and provide estimates of costs and timeframes.  A draft report has been submitted and is under review.

It is expected that resumption of normal supply by using alternative disinfection systems may take up to six months.  The establishment and commissioning of a treatment plant that will remove the turbidity and other contaminants from the water will take longer.  This is intended to be completed as a preliminary activity in advance of the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI), and Council will seek reimbursement to cover the costs of the works.

Council is focused on minimising the disruption to normal activities in Greenvale, and appreciates the patience of the community during this challenging period.