|
 Water Alerts in
Australia
On
this page we have a list of current and past alerts that have been issued by
water authorities around Australia.
Please
be aware that this is not a complete and comprehensive list of Water Alerts in
Australia.
These are only the ones we have been notified of.
If you know about a current Water Alert within Australia, please
let us know!
Some of these alerts will
have a link to the complete article/story if it is of interest to you.
Please
Note: Water Alerts are kept for 1 year on this page, as reference, before being
removed. This is to notify you of any past water contamination concerns that an
area may have had.
If
travelling to these areas, please contact their local council to enquire
about the current water status, as we do not always get notification that water
alerts have been cancelled.
Alerts
are in Newest to Oldest format under each state's heading.
Sign
up for 'Water Alerts'
You
can sign up for our FREE service. As alerts are issued, we will send you small
emails.
E.g. “A water alert has been issued for ……… area”.
Most
Current alerts:
| Please
click on your selection - (or scroll
down to browse all) |
| By State |
QLD
NSW VIC TAS
SA WA NT
|
| By Town (alphabetical) |
Alice
Springs, NT; Gosford, NSW; Hamilton,
Tarrington and Dunkeld, Vic;
Hamilton Valley & West
Lavington, NSW; Lower
Clarence, NSW; Mareeba, QLD; Nyirippi,
NT; Papunya,
NT; Port Douglas Areas, QLD; Tennant Creek, NT; Wallaville, QLD |
Queensland
(Back to Top)
|
DATE
|
LOCATION
|
INFORMATION
|
2009
-
April 02 |
Wallaville
(Near Gin Gin),
QLD
|
Southern
Qld community on E. coli alert
Residents
of a small southern Queensland community have been ordered to boil their
tap water because of water contamination fears.
The
Bundaberg Regional Council has advised 200 residents of Wallaville, near
Gin Gin, to boil all water to prevent an outbreak of E. coli.
Council
chief executive officer Peter Byrne says it is working around-the-clock to
fix the problem at the local water plant.
"There
was a failure in the chlorine dosing equipment," he said.
"We're
looking at approximately $40,000 of work that is required to have the
plant upgraded to hopefully ensure that that doesn't occur again."
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/news/articles/2132072.southern-qld-community-on-e-coli-alert
|
2009
-
January
19 |
Mareeba, Qld
|
There
has been an outbreak of the bacteria E.Coli in a far north Queensland
water supply system.
The
Tablelands Regional Council says residents should boil their drinking
water.
Mayor
Tom Gilmore says the bacteria spread during recent heavy rain.
"The
community can rest assured that we're on the job," he said.
"The
reason that they've been warned is that our testing has shown up that
there has been a glitch in the system.
"We'll
deal with that quickly and professionally and I'm quite sure that nobody
will be in too much trouble over it."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/19/2468812.htm?site=farnorth
|
2008
-
September 05 |
Port
Douglas, Mowbray, Daintree Village and Rocky Point,
QLD
|
06/09/08
- FURTHER INFORMATION ISSUED:
Six
residents have been admitted to hospital with gastro-related illness in
the past three weeks but doctors say it is unclear if the outbreak is
directly linked to the contaminated water.
Water
scientists and medical officers last night urged residents and visitors to
boil drinking water or buy bottled water.
It
will take at least two weeks to fix the problem.
Cairns
Regional Council Water and Waste general manager Bruce Gardiner said the
water does not meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24302438-421,00.html
------------------------------
Water
unfit to drink in Queensland resort towns after E. coli outbreak
AUTHORITIES
in Far North Queensland have declared tap water in resort towns including
Port Douglas unsafe to drink following an outbreak of the E. coli
bacteria, which authorities are blaming on the refusal of residents of the
alternate lifestyle haven to have their water chemically treated.
Residents
of Port Douglas, Mowbray, Daintree Village and Rocky Point have been
advised to boil drinking water after elevated levels of the bacteria were
found in seven of 12 water reservoirs supplying the area.
Queensland Health issued the alert, pointing out elevated levels may have
occurred because water in the area is not treated by chemicals, a move
that that has been fought by locals.
“The fact (is) that there is no residual disinfection, the fact that the
reservoirs are exposed to contamination from bird faeces, vermin,
cockroaches etc, and that the water has a long history of failures in
regard to E. coli testing," a Queensland Health alert said.
"Informing
the public of these issues is a duty of care by the local government as it
has chosen to provide an untreated water supply.”
Several people have been treated for stomach aches over the past few
weeks. Residents have been told to drink boiled or bottled water and
authorities are now proposing a one-off chlorination of the area’s
drinking supply.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24299520-2702,00.html
|
New
South Wales (Back to Top)
|
DATE
|
LOCATION
|
INFORMATION
|
2008 -
June 05
|
Lower Clarence, NSW
|
Drinking
water alert for Lower Clarence
A
DRINKING water alert has been issued for the Lower Clarence.
Clarence
Valley Council (CVC) issued the warning after test results revealed unacceptable
levels of Escherichia coli (E coli) in the water supply.
Frank
Vaarwerk, an operations engineer with CVC, said although council could not be
100 per cent certain, the problem was most likely caused when pump rates were
increased to lift chlorine levels in the Maclean reservoir.
"We
increased the pump rates for about half-a-day in an attempt to increase chlorine
residuals in the Lower Clarence," he said.
"In
doing so, it looks like we might have stirred up some sediment."
Mr
Vaarwerk said CVC had already begun rectification work.
He
said his department was manually increasing the chlorine dose at the Maclean
reservoir and carrying out 'flushing'.
Meanwhile,
Mr Vaarwerk strongly recommended Lower Clarence residents boil all water
intended for human consumption.
He
said the water needed to be brought to the boil and kept there for at least one
minute, before allowing it to cool. The water should then be placed in a sealed
container and placed in the fridge.
"It's
a precautionary measure," he said.
"At
this stage there is no evidence of an outbreak of illness that we can contribute
to the water supply.
"We're
doing this in conjunction with NSW Health who are also monitoring the situation
and concurring with our actions."
Mr
Vaarwerk said tests done since the initial discovery had revealed the levels of
bacteria had reduced, but were still above acceptable levels. He said two
consecutive 'clear' test results were required before the water alert could be
lifted.
http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3774765
|
2008 -
May 15
|
Hamilton Valley and
West Lavington
|
Hamilton
Valley and West Lavington residents in the area west of Urana Rd and north of
Union Rd, excluding Norris Park, have been advised today to boil water prior to
consumption as a precautionary measure.
The
alert is due to the detection of low level contaminants in the water supply in
this area.
As a
precaution this alert will remain in place until further notice.
Acting
Group Manager Engineering Mr Brad Ferris said approximately 300 customers are
affected.
Mr
Ferris said Council staff are continuing to investigate the cause, and are
undertaking mains treatment and flushing in the area to minimise the risk to
public health.
Council
staff are hand delivering notices to affected consumers today.
http://www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/news/ACC_News_15-May-08_6723.htm
|
2008 -
April 21
|
Gosford, NSW
|
Discoloured
Water Alert
Media
Release
Gosford
City Council apologises to residents in the region who may have experienced
discoloured water over the weekend.
The
incident was the result of works undertaken in preparation for cleaning of the
major supply mains which transport water
from the water treatment plant into
Gosford and the Peninsula. These works are required to ensure a long-term
solution to the discoloured water
problems.
Council
staff are making every effort to clear the problem and anticipate supply will
return to normal within the next day or so.
Residents
are advised to check the water
quality prior to use. Should washing be affected, residents are
advised to keep the clothing wet and contact Gosford City Council on 4325 8222
to obtain a cleaning solution.
http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/news_events/media/media-releases-2008/april-2008/discoloured-water-alert/
|
Victoria
(Back to Top)
|
DATE
|
LOCATION
|
INFORMATION
|
2008 -
September 13
|
Hamilton,
Tarrington and Dunkeld, Vic
|
Alert
over dirty water
MORE
than 5000 south-west residents are being urged to boil their water before
use because of discolouration problems.
Wannon
Water managing director Grant Green yesterday warned residents to boil
their water as a "precautionary measure" after problems at the
Hamilton treatment plant.
"All
water used for drinking, food preparation, ice making or brushing teeth
should be brought to a rolling boil and cooled before use," Mr Green
said.
"Care
should also be taken to avoid swallowing water while undertaking
water-related activities (such as bathing or showering).
"We
apologise for any inconvenience."
Increased
turbidity in water supplies from southern Grampians catchment areas and
drought relief bores had caused problems with the disinfection process,
Wannon Water marketing and communications manager Annette Cannon said.
However,
she said the problem was more visual than health-related.
"It
is more of an aesthetic issue with water discolouration," she said.
"There
is no E.coli or anything like that. Some residents might not notice any
discolouration at all."
Ms
Cannon said residents would probably have to continue boiling their water
until mid-next week.
"There
is no cause for panic. The water is not meeting the safe water guidelines
for aesthetic levels, that's why we are urging people not to consume
it."
http://warrnambool.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/alert-over-dirty-water/1271270.aspx
|
Tasmania
(Back to Top)
|
DATE
|
LOCATION
|
INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
No Current Water Alerts
|
South
Australia (Back to Top)
|
DATE
|
LOCATION
|
INFORMATION
|
| |
|
No Current Water Alerts
|
Western
Australia (Back to Top)
|
DATE
|
LOCATION
|
INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
No Current Water Alerts
|
Northern
Territory
(Back to Top)
|
DATE
|
LOCATION
|
INFORMATION
|
2009 -
November 26
|
Alice
Springs, NT (Docker River)
|
Outback
Aussie town to cull invading camels.
ALICE
SPRINGS, Australia — State authorities plan to corral about 6,000 wild
camels with helicopters and gun them down after they overran a small town
in Australia's Outback in search of water, trampling fences, smashing
tanks and contaminating supplies.
The
Northern Territory government announced its plan Wednesday for Docker
River, a town of 350 residents where thirsty camels have been arriving
daily for weeks.
"The
community of Docker River is under siege by 6,000 marauding, wild
camels," local government minister Rob Knight said in Alice Springs,
310 miles (500 kilometers) northeast of Docker. "This is a very
critical situation out there, it's very unusual and it needs urgent
action."
The
camels, which are not native to Australia but were introduced in the
1840s, have smashed water tanks, approached houses to try to take water
from air conditioning units, and knocked down fencing at the small airport
runway, Knight said.
The
carcasses of camels killed in stampedes at water storage areas are
contaminating the water supply, he added.
The
government plans to use helicopters to herd the camels about nine miles
(15 kilometers) outside of town next week, where they will be shot and
their carcasses left to decay in the desert.
"We
don't have the luxury of time because the herd is getting bigger,"
Knight said.
It
is common to see some camels in the remote community, but a continuing
drought and an early heat wave have dried up other water sources and
forced great numbers of them into town. Much of Australia is gripped by
some of the worst drought conditions on record.
In
August, the federal government set aside 19 million Australian dollars for
a program to slash the wild camel population, including a possible mass
slaughter.
Camels
were first brought to Australia to help explorers travel through the
desert, and now an estimated 1 million roam wild across the country.
They
compete with sheep and cattle for food, trample vegetation and invade
remote settlements in search of water, scaring residents as they tear
apart bathrooms and rip up water pipes.
Docker
River residents were not especially concerned when about 30 camels came
into the town looking for water a few weeks ago, said Graham Taylor, head
of the local council. But their fears grew as more animals arrived day by
day.
He
said many people were too frightened to leave their homes because of the
big, strong animals, which can grow up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall and
weigh 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms).
"We
need to get the risk and that threat away from the people," Taylor
said.
Copyright
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jBYXEQOLit-s49_J8eOZ3hVUcREwD9C711JG0 |
2009 -
May 07
|
Tennant
Creek, NT
|
Water
bug outbreak hits Tennant Creek
Residents
of the outback town of Tennant Creek are being urged to turn off the taps
and buy bottled water.
A
water boil alert has been issued for the approximately 3,000 people who
live in the Northern Territory town, about 1,000km south Darwin, after
E.coli bacteria was detected in the community's water supply.
The
NT Department of Health and Families (DHF) has urged locals to take
precautionary measures.
"It
is recommended that water for drinking, food preparation and oral hygiene
be obtained from either packaged bottled water or by boiling tap water and
allowing it to cool," DHF environmental health officer Karen Beirne
said on Thursday.
"Work
is now under way by Power and Water Corporation to flush the water supply
system, monitor the chlorine in the system and ensure maximum disinfection
occurs to kill any bacteria present."
Ms
Beirne said it was expected that the alert for Tennant Creek - the NT's
fifth largest town - would be cancelled "very soon".
Residents
who experience symptoms of diarrhoea should seek advice from the health
centre or other health service.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/811067/water-bug-outbreak-hits-tennant-creek |
2009 -
March 09
|
Nyirippi, NT
|
Water
Boil Alert Cancelled for Nyrippi on 14/3/09
Water
Boil Alert issued for Nyirippi
A
precautionary advice for drinking water (water boil alert) was issued today
for the Nyrippi Community following the detection of the E.coli bacteria in
the community's water supply.
The
Department of Health and Families today confirmed that precautionary
measures were being taken to ensure that the water supply was safe to drink
again as quickly as possible.
DHF
Environmental Health Senior Policy Officer Karen Beirne, said in the
meantime as a precautionary measure, it is recommended that water for
drinking, food preparation and oral hygiene be obtained from either packaged
bottled water or by boiling tap water and allowing to cool prior to use.
"Work
is now underway by Power and Water Corporation to flush the water supply
system, monitor the chlorine in the system and ensure maximum disinfection
occurs to kill any bacteria present."
"Testing
will continue to ensure that the water is safe to drink and we expect the
water boil alert will be cancelled very soon," Ms Beirne said.
Residents
who experience diarrhoea symptoms should seek advice from the health centre
or other health service.
http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Agency/News_Archive/Water_Boil_Alert_issued_for_Nyrippi_09.03.09_-_14.03.09/indexdl_2449.aspx |
PLEASE
NOTE:
If you would like to know the status of a town’s water supply, you will need
to contact the town’s local council office.
Disclaimer:
The list of alerts above is not a full and comprehensive list. We
do not have instant access to water alerts, but we do post them as soon as we
receive them. The alerts above are not all current, so if you would like to find
out more or confirm an alert above, please contact the local council of the town
in question.
|
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