Please be advised that there are no current issues with water quantity or pressure. The current issue involves power outages associated with chlorine dosage equipment at the Macknade Water Treatment Plant causing the need to boil water as a precautionary measure.
The boil water alert will stay in effect until the Hinchinbrook Shire Council and Queensland Health are confident there is no longer a public health concern. Regular updates will be provided to affected communities.
Consuming unboiled drinking water could lead to illness, especially for vulnerable people (e.g. those who are very young, elderly or those with weak immune systems). If you believe the water has made you sick, contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), your local doctor or local hospital and advise them of your concerns.
People should use cooled boiled water or bottled water for:
- drinking
- brushing teeth
- 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
- washing clothes
- flushing toilets.
People should 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. Variable temperature kettles should be set to boil.
Residents are urged to share this alert with neighbours and friends.