Fairbairn Dam residents and visitors advised to boil drinking water

Update 1 – Monday, 4 March 2024, 6:17pm

This alert applies effective immediately to residents of, and visitors to Fairbairn Dam who receive drinking water from the Fairbairn Dam water supply. This alert does not extend to residents in the township of Emerald.

 

Sunwater advises all residents and visitors at Fairbairn Dam to boil their tap water used for drinking following an issue identified at the Fairbairn Dam drinking water supply which has resulted in water being produced with an elevated turbidity level (which may have resulted in a cloudiness of the water).

 

No contaminants of direct health concern have been detected, however Sunwater has notified the office of the water supply regulator and has taken the step of issuing this notice as a precaution to reduce the risk of potential illness.

 

Sunwater is undertaking a series of actions to investigate and rectify the cause of the issue. The boil water alert will stay in effect until Sunwater is confident there is no longer a public health concern. Sunwater will provide an update if a change occurs.

 

Consuming unboiled drinking water could lead to illness, especially for vulnerable people (e.g. those who are very young, elderly or immune compromised). If you are concerned about your health 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; washing and preparing food or beverages; preparing baby formula; making ice and bathing infants.

 

Unboiled drinking water can be used for showering and bathing other than infants (but minimise water in the mouth); washing dishes by hand or in a dishwasher, provided dishes are air-dried; washing clothes and flushing toilets.

 

People should bring drinking water to a 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 and visitors are urged to share this alert with neighbours and friends.

 

If you have any further concerns, please contact Sunwater Customer Support Team on 13 15 89.