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General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on April 12, 2013, 11:38:51 PM
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Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark McArdle
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Ibis Dam and Irvinebank water quality results
Testing of water supplied from North Queensland’s Ibis Dam to township of Irvinebank has reaffirmed that the non-potable (non-drinking) water supplied to residents is acceptable for washing, bathing and gardens but not for drinking or cooking.
Water Supply Minister Mr McArdle said water from Ibis Dam should not be consumed or used for cooking unless it has been treated based on water quality tests released this week by the Queensland Government.
Mr McArdle said following a recent community meeting with residents at Irvinebank the results of water quality testing had been finalised and provided to the local community.
“As agreed by the Irvinebank Progress Association, Queensland Health officials collected samples from seven locations, including Ibis Dam and the Irvinebank township,” Mr McArdle said.
Three key findings were revealed by the tests:
• samples in the Irvinebank reservoir and the township were below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines of 0.01 milligram per litre for arsenic;
• two samples from Ibis Dam had arsenic concentrations of 0.027 and 0.02 milligrams per litre which is above the Australian Drinking Water Guideline health guideline value; and
• the testing revealed the presence of microorganisms, including E. coli, in the samples collected.
“Detection of microorganisms in the Irvinebank non-potable water supply is not unexpected, considering the water supply is sourced from Ibis Dam and is not treated or disinfected.”
Mr McArdle said the results from a single sampling event did not provide sufficient data to give a long-term indication of water quality, as water quality is affected by numerous factors including environmental activities, seasonal changes and weather events.
“What the testing results show is the reticulated water supplied to Irvinebank from Ibis Dam is considered not suitable for drinking or cooking. This is because the water is untreated,” he said.
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