Residents in the following areas are advised to boil drinking water until further notice.

Tully town,

Feluga,

East Feluga

Bulgun

Silky Oak

Euramo

Hull Heads

Tully Heads

Jarra Creek

Silkwood East and West

El Arish

Bingil Bay

North Mission (north of Seaview St)

Ellerbeck

Cardwell North

Kennedy

Carrachan

(Please note South Mission Beach, Wongaling, Kurrimine Beach and Cardwell town, Stony Creek and Port Hinchinbrook are not included as Council is supplying off available clear water storages in reservoirs for those communities.)

A Cassowary Coast Regional Council spokesman said heavy rain yesterday and overnight had caused turbidity in the creek systems to exceed Council’s water quality thresholds.

“We have had a spike in turbidity levels,” the spokesman said.  “Our disinfection systems are less effective with high turbidity and there is an increased risk of contamination of the supply.”

He said Queensland Health and the Queensland Water Supply Regulator had been notified and it was agreed that, as a precautionary measure, a Boil Water Alert be issued for customers in the above areas.

He said the increase in boil water alerts over the past year related to changes in drinking water management requirements, including increased water quality monitoring and reporting.

Residents and businesses in the affected areas are advised to boil water for use in the following activities:

– Drinking

– Brushing teeth

– Washing or preparing food that is not going to be cooked

– Preparing baby formula

– Making ice

The likelihood of more storm events and heavy rainfall in the next few days makes it difficult to predict when the turbidity levels will stabilise.  The colouring of the water supply may improve but then could deteriorate after more rain.  Irrespective of the colour of the water coming through the taps, you should continue to boil all drinking water until advised otherwise. A program of flushing and testing has been initiated but the alert cannot be lifted without approval from Queensland Health.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council apologises for the inconvenience and will provide updates as they become available. Council asks that this advice be shared with neighbours and friends in the affected area.

For further information, please contact Council on 1300 763 903 or refer advice on Council’s web page www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.