Alert lifted - Childers, Woodgate and surrounds, Wallaville
CHILDERS, WOODGATE AND SURROUNDS
UPDATE 7 JANUARY 2022
Bundaberg Regional Council advises all residents in Childers, Woodgate and surrounds that tap water used for drinking is now safe to consume.
The boiled water alert has been removed and tap water can once again be used for all typical uses including drinking, preparing food and beverages, personal washing, dishwashing, laundry purposes and flushing toilets.
Bundaberg Regional Council has worked closely with Queensland Health over recent weeks to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
Bundaberg Regional Council and Queensland Health will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Homeowners and residents are advised to run internal taps for 2-3 minutes to ensure that any contaminated water is flushed from their plumbing. Owners and managers of large buildings should ensure that their entire system is flushed and that storage tanks are drained and refilled.
Residents are asked to share this notice with neighbours and friends.
Council thanks residents for their cooperation and understanding throughout this process and apologises for any inconvenience caused. These precautionary measures were taken in the interest of public health. Your safety is our top priority.
For more information, visit bundaberg.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 883 699.
UPDATE 22 DECEMBER 2021
The boiled water alert for residents in Childers, Woodgate and surrounds will remain in place until the New Year. Electronic signage will be placed at the entry to Childers and Woodgate to advise visitors to those communities of these requirements.
UPDATE 17 DECEMBER 2021
Council continues to work to resolve water quality issues, which now include Childers, Woodgate and surrounds and Wallaville, as a priority. A boiled water alert remains in place until further notice for all residents in these areas supplied from the Council network. Unfortunately, because the issue is naturally occurring within the source water, we are unable to put an exact timeframe around a resolution time. The boiled water alert will remain in place until further notice and it appears likely that this will include the Christmas and New Year period. We thank residents in these areas for their cooperation.
Residents in Childers, Woodgate and surrounding areas which are supplied from the Gregory Water Treatment Plant are advised to boil water before consuming from 9 December until further notice.
Impacted locations are highlighted here.
Water sourced from Gregory River has had high turbidity levels following recent rain events. This poor source water has resulted in the inability to reliably purify the water and so, as a precautionary measure, Council requests that all residents in the affected locations boil the water for the uses noted below. Our Water Treatment team is working to rectify this issue as a priority.
The boiled water alert will stay in effect until Bundaberg Regional Council and Queensland Health are confident there is no longer a public health concern. Regular updates will be provided here.
Please ensure that all ice, infant formula, juice, drink mixes etc that were made this morning before the boil water advice was issued is disposed of.
Residents are asked to bring drinking water to a rolling boil and then allow water to cool before using it 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.
Use cooled boiled water or bottled water for:
- drinking
- brushing teeth and gargling
- 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 (avoid getting water in the mouth)
- washing dishes by hand or in a dishwasher, provided dishes are air-dried
- washing clothes
- flushing toilets
Residents are urged to share this alert with neighbours and friends.
The new Gregory River water treatment plant which is currently under construction will provide advanced treatment processes which would have the ability to treat the current quality of water, if it is experienced in the future.
For more information phone 1300 883 699.
WALLAVILLE
UPDATE 23 DECEMBER 2021
Bundaberg Regional Council advises all residents in Wallaville that tap water used for drinking is now safe to consume.
The boil water notice has been removed and tap water can once again be used for all typical uses including drinking, preparing food and beverages, personal washing, dishwashing, laundry purposes and flushing toilets.
Bundaberg Regional Council has worked closely with Queensland Health over the past week to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
Bundaberg Regional Council and Queensland Health will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Homeowners and residents are advised to run internal taps for 2-3 minutes to ensure that any contaminated water is flushed from their plumbing. Owners and managers of large buildings should ensure that their entire system is flushed and that storage tanks are drained and refilled.
Residents are asked to share this notice with neighbours and friends.
Council thanks residents for their compliance and understanding throughout this process and apologises for any inconvenience caused. These precautionary measures were taken in the interest of public health. Your safety is our top priority.
For more information, phone 1300 883 699.
UPDATE 16 DECEMBER 2021
Bundaberg Regional Council wishes to advise that a Boil Water Notice is now in place for the residents of Wallaville from 16 December 2021 until further notice.
Bundaberg Regional Councils’ Wallaville Water Treatment Plant draws water from the Burnett River to treat and supply water to the local communities. The water quality of the Burnett River is currently very poor because of the sediment entering the catchment from recent heavy rainfall.
The consequence of the poor source water is the inability to reliably purify the water. As a precautionary measure we request that all residents in the affected locations boil the water for the uses noted below.
Our Water Treatment Team is working to rectify the issue as a priority.
The boil water alert will remain in place until Bundaberg Regional Council and Queensland Health are confident there is no longer a public health concern. Regular updates will be provided to affected communities.
Please ensure that all ice, infant formula, juice, drink mixes etc that were made before the boil water advice was issued is disposed of.
Residents are asked to bring drinking water to a rolling boil and then allow water to cool before using it 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.
Use cooled boiled water or bottled water for:
- drinking
- brushing teeth and gargling
- 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 (avoid getting water in the mouth)
- washing dishes by hand or in a dishwasher, provided dishes are air-dried
- washing clothes
- flushing toilets.
Residents are urged to share this alert with neighbours and friends.
Council is currently nearing completion of a new Water Treatment Plant to service the area with more advanced technology that will be able to treat the current water quality if it’s experienced in future.
For more information phone 1300 883 699.
FAQs
What are people being advised to do?
Bundaberg Regional Council is advising all residents in Childers, Woodgate, Redridge, Forest Ridge, Kinkuna and Wallaville to boil tap water as we can not reliably purify the water supplied.
Boiled water should be allowed to cool and be stored in a clean, closed container. The water will remain safe in the container.
Cooled boiled water should be used for:
- drinking
- cleaning teeth
- preparing and cooking food
- washing raw foods such as fruit and vegetables
- preparing beverages and making ice
- preparing baby formula, and
- sponge-bathing infants.
You don’t need to use cooled, boiled water for bathing (other than sponge-bathing infants), washing dishes by dishwasher or by hand, washing clothes or flushing the toilet.
Avoid getting water in your mouth while showering.
How do I boil my water?
Bring water to a rolling boil and allow the water to cool before using it or storing it in a clean, closed container for later use.
Kettles with automatic cut-off switches are suitable for producing boiled water. Variable temperature kettles should be set to boil.
Care should be taken when boiling water to avoid scalding.
How long do I have to hold the water at boiling point?
You just need to bring the water to a rolling boil. It doesn’t need to be held at boiling point for any specified period of time.
Can I use my coffee maker, ice machine, or water dispenser?
Do not use water from any appliance connected to your home plumbing.
This includes your coffee machine if it is plumbed in and any water or ice dispensers in your refrigerator/freezer.
Although these appliances may have built in filters, most do not remove or kill bacteria or viruses.
Use boiled or bottled water to make coffee and ice.
When the boil water alert is lifted, consult the owner’s manual and sanitise appliances.
What about ice?
Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers.
Throw out all ice made with tap water.
Make new ice with boiled or bottled water.
What should I do about preparing food and beverages? How should I wash fruit, vegetables, and food preparation surfaces?
Wash fruits and vegetables with cooled, boiled water or bottled water.
Bring water to a rolling boil before adding to food to cook.
Use boiled water when preparing drinks such as tea and coffee.
Use cooled boiled water when preparing drinks, such cordials.
Wash food preparation surfaces with cooled boiled water.
What should I do about feeding my baby?
If you are breastfeeding, continue as normal.
If breastfeeding is not an option:
Use ready-to-use formula, if possible.
Prepare powdered or concentrated formula with bottled water. Use cooled boiled water if you do not have bottled water.
Wash and sterilise bottles and teats using cooled boiled water or bottled water before use.
How do I wash dishes during this time?
Dishes should be washed in a dishwasher or in hot soapy water and left to air-dry completely before being used again.
I have already drunk the water. Will I get sick?
Most people who drink this water will not get sick.
If you do get sick, the symptoms are typically similar to food poisoning:
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- cramps
- possibly a mild fever.
People most at risk of complications include the elderly, the very young, or those with weak immune systems. If you believe the water has made you sick, contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or consult your local doctor and advise them of this alert.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
The most important thing to do is avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of safe fluids and avoid drinks such as alcohol, soft drinks, and drinks that contain caffeine, like energy drinks, coffee and tea.
If you are concerned about your health or the health of a family member, contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or your local doctor and advise them of this boil water alert.
Can I use tap water to brush my teeth?
No. Do not use tap water to brush your teeth. Use cooled boiled water or bottled water.
Is it safe to take a shower or bath?
Yes, it is safe to take a bath or shower, but be careful not to swallow any water.
Consideration should be given to sponge-bathing young children and infants to ensure they don’t swallow any water.
Cover any wounds with a waterproof dressing.
What about shaving?
Yes, you can shave as usual.
Do I need to boil water for my pets?
You can boil water for pets as a precaution but it is best to check with your vet about the health of your pets.
Could my swimming pool be contaminated if I’ve topped it up with tap water?
Pools are safe to continue using as normal provided they are appropriately maintained and chlorine levels are good.
Is it safe for my children to play with the hose or in the paddling pool?
As a precaution, it is recommended that children avoid this activity until the boil water alert has been lifted.
Is it safe to water my vegetable garden with tap water?
Yes, it is safe to water your garden, including vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees with unboiled water. However, it is recommended that you to wash raw foods with cooled boiled water before eating.
Can I drink the rainwater from my rainwater tank?
Roof-harvested rainwater can contain disease-causing microorganisms that pose a risk to health.
If you choose to use rainwater, you should boil it and allow it to cool before consuming.
Why isn’t the water being treated properly if Council has invested in a new Gregory River Water Treatment Plant?
The new Gregory River Water Treatment Plant is not yet operational.
Council anticipates it will be operational in early 2022.
The new plant will provide advanced treatment processes which would have the ability to treat the current quality of water, if it is experienced in the future.
Why has it taken so long to build the Gregory River Water Treatment Plant.
Council is not simply updating an old treatment plant. The Gregory River Water Treatment Plant is being built from the ground up to provide an advanced and modern level of treatment.
There have been some delays throughout the construction of the major project due to weather and COVID-related delays to the supply of some materials.