Push to reduce the amount of lead in drinking water by changing taps
A push is on to remove a dangerous source of lead in our drinking water, with building authorities recommending that billions of dollars worth of taps and other plumbing be replaced.
While our drinking water is generally safe, there is a fear that poisonous lead may be leaching from brass fittings.
The Australian Building Codes Board is about to release a new draft National Construction Code, with a key change to the allowable amount of lead from fittings - reducing it from the current 6 per cent to 0.25 per cent, the standard already used in countries such as the US and Canada.
A plan of the new Bega Water Treatment Plant development. A much-needed boost for local jobs is on the horizon with plans for a purpose-built operations.
Date Time
Townsville water update – 1500hrs 10 February
Townsville City Council continues to work with the Townsville Hospital and Health Service to ensure water being supplied to Townsville households and businesses is safe to drink.
Townsville Public Health Unit director Dr Steven Donohue reassured the community that the water is safe to drink.
“There is absolutely no relationship or correlation between the colour of the water and the safety of the water,” Dr Donohue said.
“Water colouration can be impacted by a range of naturally occurring minerals and pigments that are purely cosmetic.
“Townsville’s water supply continues to meet all the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for safe consumption of water.”
Mr Pettiford said council staff were flushing the water network at the affected areas and had fixed the treatment issue that caused a reaction with naturally occurring iron in the water. The disinfectant (treatment) that helps maintain the strict requirements outlined in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, can sometimes react with the iron in the water when water demand is low, he said. The level of treatment product required adjusts to suit the lower water demands by the public. Shanta Werda took to social media to share her concern about discoloured water in Bowen. Mr Pettiford said the discoloured water was still safe for all uses, including drinking, use in food, laundry, dishwashing, showering and flushing toilets.
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Mackay residents may notice a slight discolouration to their drinking water following ongoing heavy rainfall in the region.
A Mackay Regional Council spokeswoman said council was aware of instances of water discolouration across the region, adding the extended rain period had made river water dirtier and more difficult to treat.
She said council has had to supplement the supply with bore water from the Nebo Road Water Treatment Plant.
“The bore water has a higher iron concentration than the river water and customers may be noticing a slight brown or cloudy discolouration in their water supply,” the spokeswoman said.