December 15, 2016
The South Burnett Regional Council has warned residents using Blackbutt and Benarkin town water to boil any tap water used for drinking.
This follows the discovery of a positive sample containing E coli affecting the town water supply.
A statement said Council is working with Queensland Health to resolve the situation.
Council is flushing water through the system and ensuring there is chlorine present to make sure appropriate disinfection occurs.
The laboratory Council uses to analyse samples takes up to 72 hours to return results.
Because of the delay between sampling and results being issued, it may take up to four or five days before this issue is resolved.
The boiled water alert will stay in effect until the Council and Queensland Health are confident there is no longer a public health concern.
Regular updates will be provided to affected communities.
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Consuming unboiled drinking water could lead to illness, especially for vulnerable people (eg. 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
- 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
- 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 are urged to share this alert with neighbours and friends.
