Water security improvements come online

Ten months on from Cyclone Jasper and the floods that followed, Douglas Shire Council (DSC) has improved water security for its community.

To mark Get Ready Week, DSC has provided a snapshot of what has been achieved since the region was devastated by last December’s natural disaster.

The work has been significant with 192 new filters installed at the Mossman and Whyanbeel water treatment plants.

The filters have increased water production capacity by 20 per cent which will allow water reservoir levels to recharge much quicker when needed.

Two temporary ultrafiltration units are located at Whyanbeel. They will provide an improved reliability of water production during challenges and in times of demand.

Work on the pipe network also has been extensive and includes repairs and upgrades to 3km of water mains since Tropical Cyclone Jasper and leak detection and repair work along more than 300km of Council’s pipe network to prevent the loss of an estimated one million litres per day of drinking water.

A pipe connecting Mossman/Port Douglas and Whyanbeel water networks has been installed and tested, providing an alternate water supply option for Wonga Beach, Rocky Point, Miallo, Bamboo and surrounding areas.

While diverting Council’s critical water main pipelines underground (under-boring) at Crees Creek (Port Douglas) and Leonardi Bridge (Whyanbeel) will protect these assets from damaging flood waters.

There are also better water storage options as a result of the works.

Water from the Rocky Point reservoir can now be sent along the network to Wonga Beach when levels are at critically low levels, with a combined capacity (Whyanbeel and Rocky Point reservoirs) of five million litres, a 40 per cent increase in storage relative to pre-Jasper.

Water tanks have been installed at public amenities to ensure toilets and showers are available to the community if necessary.

Council has purchased 15 portable, 1150L water tanks which can be delivered to locations impacted by unexpected long outages, and Council has also purchased a drinking water tanker to enable delivery of drinking water to portable tanks/high risk sites.

Despite these improvements, Douglas Shire Council is encouraging its residents to consider their own water security measures during Get Ready Week due to the lasting impacts of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the flooding in December had dramatically changed the shire’s natural environment, putting ongoing stress on our water network.