Water

Lake Tinaroo

Lake Tinaroo

Across the Tablelands, town water comes from local rivers and lakes which is treated to meet Australian Standards.

Water is pumped nightly to reservoirs. Click here to see the current Lake Tinaroo water storage level.

To report water supply issues, please call 1300 362 242.

Water supplies for the Tablelands come from:

Water Infrastructure & Treatment

Across the region there are twenty water supply schemes which all have chlorination as a minimum (excluding Mt Garnet, Mt Molloy and High Country Estate near Herberton).

Daily testing ensures reporting and quality standards are maintained and risks identfied quickly, such as E. Coli levels.

Water treatment plants are located at Dimbulah, Johnstone River Estate, Kuranda, Malanda, Mareeba, Millaa Millaa, Mt Garnet, Yungaburra.

Mt Molloy, Millstream Estate North and South, Bellview Estate, Cassowary Estate, Ravenshoe, Herberton, Tinaroo Park, Walkamin, Chillagoe, Tabo and High Country Estate do not have water treatment facilities.

Mains Flushing

Council maintains an annual mains flushing program throughout the Tablelands Regional Council area.  Generally reticulation networks that have water treatment plants as the water source are maintained on a tri annual basis whilst the remaining reticulation networks are maintained on a 12month to 2 year cycle. 

During this process there is an interupption to supply, however residents will be advised well in advance of this activity.

Fluoridation

Due to the Queensland Governments push for fluoridation to 90% of Queenslanders by 2012, and to ensure water supply meets guidelines outlined in the Water Supply (Safety & Reliability) Act 2008,

Council will be adding fluoride to the water supplies of Malanda and Kuranda by 31 December 2011. Atherton and Mareeba are to have fluoride added to their systems by 31 December 2012.

The State Government will be paying for all eligible capital infrastructure work.  For more details visit the Water Fluoridation website.

Water Conservation

Water restrictions are in place across the former Herberton Shire Council area. Click here to see if any apply to your area.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management website has detailed information on:

• Accessing and using water including bores, trading, metering and dams

• Using water wisely at home and in the garden

Residents are urged to minimise household water usage by following WaterWise strategies such as taking short showers, fixing leaking taps and not leaving taps running.  Information and strategies for conserving household water is available from the Department of Environment and Resource Management website.