ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Isa unique: 's only natural filtration system "These samples can be the development during Water treatment and testing tested against more than the year of a new Drinking Keeping water safe 150 parameters in the Aus- Water Quality Manage- vital to keep standards high tralian Drinking Water ment Plan and increased THE importance of a safe, reliable Guidelines," he said. internal capability for This information feature has been provided by Mount Isa Water Board to answer the most ONE of the important travels through another water supply in such a hot, remote lo- water quality testing to things Mount Isa Water flume into the back of the "Significant work con- cation as Mount Isa is vital to the common questions residents are asking about local water supply and water quality. supplement the existing Board does is to sample, main lagoon. The lagoon tinues to be done in the local community. external testing facilities." test and treat the water uses a series of natural area of water quality, with Mount Isa Water Board's key role is en- supplied to customers to grasses and floating reed suring a reliable, clean water supply for ensure it meets Australian beds to filter and store the the North West region, ac- Drinking Water Guide- water to achieve the re- Monitoring blue cording to its CEO Mr Greg Stevens. lines. quired water quality. "We recognise the important role we Mount Isa Water Board The lagoon has storage play in the health and wellbeing of the conducts more than 8,000 of over one month’s water green algae Mount Isa region, both in the treatment water quality tests each supply and ensures that and distribution of water, and in main- year, on over 800 water there is still a clean water taining the recreational areas around Each year and samples taken from more supply reserve, even if the record an increase in Blue Green Algae lev- Lake Moondarra for the community to than 20 locations. floods. enjoy," Mr Stevens said. els over the summer period. Raw water is sourced After the natural treat- “Mount Isa has a unique water filtra- from either Lake Moon- ment process, water is Blue-Green Algae is a naturally occurring tion system and a water quality that the darra or Lake Julius and pumped from the Col Pop- type of bacteria known as “Cyanobacteria”, city can be proud of.” pumped to Clear Water La- ple Pump Station into and is found in rivers, lakes, damp soil, tree He said Mount Isa residents can be as- goon, and as the water Mount Isa. The water goes trunks and hot springs. sured that the drinking water we supply travels down the flume to through further safety Clear Water Lagoon it is treatment in Mount Isa, Some species have the potential to produce Mount Isa City Council meets Australian Water runs through a natural treatment process in guidelines for water safety and quality. aerated. before being pumped from toxins which can cause health issues like the Mount Isa Terminal Clear Water Lagoon before being pumped into Mount rashes, itchiness or gastrointestinal problems. "We have a regular testing regime to At Clear Water Lagoon Isa where it has further quality treatment before being the water undergoes a nat- Pump Station to Mount Isa Water Board monitors the Blue- make sure that our water meets Aus- customers. pumped from Mount Isa Terminal Reservoir Pump Sta- tralian Drinking Water Guidelines. On av- ural treatment process tion to customers. Green Algae levels in Lake Moondarra and erage more than 600 tests are conducted over a 30 day period. The Mount Isa Water Board shows the risk level on a dial indicator at the water moves slowly CEO, Mr Greg Stevens, potable (drinking) water taken throughout the every month for both our drinking water entrance to the Lake Moondarra Reserve. and also raw bulk water. through a settling pond said “Clear Water Lagoon standards”. water treatment system, where the water is filtered is the only natural filtra- Mr Stevens said “Water including raw lake water, There is no Blue Green Algae in the drinking "The drinking water is also tested and clarified. From the tion system used in Aus- samples and field meas- treated water and potable water system. every week for lead and other potential settling pond the water tralia to treat raw water to urements are regularly water points”. contaminants. We're proud of the fact that for many years now the water sup- plied to Council has consistently met the required Australian Drinking Water Guidelines: our water is clean and safe to Lake Moondarra drink." Mount Isa Water Board (MIWB) was established as a State Government water authority in 1974 to provide a reliable, The picturesque Lake Julius, which serves as the backup water storage area for Mount Isa. for all to enjoy quality supply of bulk treated water to its local customers. Isa city. Mount Isa Water Board's two 86 km of transmission pipeline, 8 major (or drinking) water. This natural filtration LAKE Moondarra is not Moondarra catchment Mount Isa Water Board has three main local industrial customers are Xstrata pump stations, and power distribution system reduces the colour, turbidity and just Mount Isa's primary and water treatment customers: it provides good quality drink- and Incitec Pivot Ltd. and control systems, employing local concentration levels of chemical and mi- water source, it is also a systems. ing water to Mount Isa City Council, Mount Isa Water Board maintains staff who live in Mount Isa. crobiological contaminants," Mr Stevens said. popular local leisure The raw water in Lake which then reticulates this water to the nearly $100 million of vital water supply "We use Clear Water Lagoon as a natu- area and wildlife sanctu- approximately 23,000 people in Mount and treatment infrastructure, including ral filtration system to treat our potable Moondarra is monitored ary set on 11,000 against the ANZECC hectares of reserve. freshwater ecosystem Common questions Isa residents Mount Isa Water guidelines. Board is trustee of the Water water catchment and The Board also main- ask about their water recreation reserve (R48 tains the substantial Reserve) around Lake recreational amenities Is the tap water safe to drink? If fluoride is added to the local water will it make it fast facts Moondarra, about 16 at the reserve, including unsafe for drinking? picnic areas, water Mount Isa Water Board supplies the Council with • Mount Isa Water Board's water km downstream from drinking quality water, compliant with Australian Drink- No, if fluoride is added to the water supply (as has Mount Isa. sports facilities, play- distribution network extends all grounds, gazebos and ing Water Guidelines (ADWG).More than 8,000 water been recommended by Queensland Health and has Many people visit and the way from Lake Julius to barbecues. Lake Moondarra is the region's principal water storage area: pictured is Lake Moondarra Pontoon Pump quality tests were conducted in 2011-12 to ensure the been undertaken in most parts of Australia for many enjoy the Lake Moon- Mount Isa. Station which takes water from the lake and sends it to Clear Water Lagoon. water complied with Australian guidelines. Mount Isa years) Mount Isa Water Board will ensure our water darra reserve each year, The Mount Isa Fish Water Board had a 99.99% compliance rate, with no continues to meet Australian drinking water standards. • The Board maintains nearly $100 with activities include Stocking Group holds E.coli bacteria detected in any water supplied to our All products used in this process would be of a high million of vital water supply and boating, skiing, fishing, the annual three day treatment infrastructure, includ- Mount Isa Water Board's role customers, and no other issues impacting on public standard to comply with the Queensland Code of canoeing, astronomy Lake Moondarra Fishing ing 86 km of transmission The Board’s primary responsibilities are to: safety. Practice for the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies. and archery. Classic here, of which pipeline, 8 major pump stations, To help manage water Mount Isa Water Board • conserve, store and supply bulk water to local and industrial customers Why does the water from my tap sometimes smell Is lead a problem in Mount Isa's drinking water? and power distribution and con- quality, Mr Stevens said is a major sponsor. This • take appropriate measures to protect the quantity and quality of present and or taste funny? Residents will be very aware that lead and other met- trol systems. the Board operates land popular event has at- future water supplies A natural filtration water treatment process is used in als are naturally occurring substances within local • Each year about 20,000 Mega- and aquatic pest weed tracted more than 5,000 • investigate and plan for future infrastructure requirements Mount Isa. Water safety is our first priority and we en- soils across the region - however they are not a prob- liters of water are supplied from management programs spectators in recent • construct, operate and maintain the water infrastructure necessary to meet sure Australian standards are met, so that Mount Isa lem in the drinking water supply. Regular testing is un- Lake Moondarra and Lake Julius within the local Lake years. customer demands residents have the same level of safety with their drink- dertaken to check for lead and other contaminants. to customers - the equivalent of Mount Isa Water Board is a Queensland Government statutory authority governed ing water that other Australian regions enjoy. This nat- Mount Isa residents can be very confident that the 8,000 Olympic swimming pools. by a 5 member Board which is appointed by the Governor in Council and reports to ural filtration process treats the water to Australian water supplied by Mount Isa Water Board does not the Minister of Energy and Water Supply. standards, but may not remove some of the aesthetic contain lead or other harmful contaminants and meets • Water demand in Mount Isa can The staff, management and Board of Mount Isa Water Board are committed to en- characteristics. There are additional filtration options Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (see story on be more than 80 Megaliters of suring a high quality of drinking water for our community. If you have queries that could improve the smell and taste of the water, next page about the water treatment and testing water a day. about matters in this Special Feature, please contact Mount Isa Water Board on 07 4740 1000. but these would be very expensive to implement. process).

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