May 11, 2023
South Burnett Regional Council has secured $290,000 in State Government funding to complete a detailed design of a proposed 140-150Ml off-stream water storage to improve Kingaroy’s water supplies.
The Round 6 Building Our Regions funding was announced on April 25.
Planning projects were eligible for funding up to a maximum of $300,000.
A Council spokesperson said Council would contribute $25,000 towards the design project, taking the total cost to $315,000.
The off-stream storage would be built at Gordonbrook Dam.
“The off-stream storage will enable Council to store water from Boondooma Dam to use in Kingaroy when the Tarong-to-Boondooma pipeline is inactive, which will improve reliability of Kingaroy’s water quality,” the spokesperson said.
“The funding will advance the design of the off-stream storage enabling Council to develop a cost-effective and reliable solution for future funding applications.”
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The off-stream storage of Boondooma Dam water, if built, could alleviate water quality issues that recently provoked angry posts by some Kingaroy residents on social media.
Kingaroy usually uses a blend of 70 per cent water from Boondooma Dam and 30 per cent from Gordonbrook Dam.
Recently, some residents complained about receiving discoloured water supplies despite Council issuing a public warning this could occur as SunWater was temporarily shutting the Boondooma-Tarong pipeline from May 7-21 for routine maintenance.
This meant Council had to switch to 100 per cent Gordonbrook Dam water for Kingaroy supplies.
“Due to the change of water source, pockets of discoloured water will result,” a Council spokesperson said at the time.
Gordonbrook Dam has elevated dissolved iron and manganese levels suspended in the water.
“When the water supply demand is low, the by-product can be a ‘rust’ look or discoloured water within the reticulation supply,” the spokesperson said.
“This can at times build up in low flow areas of the network and can cause pockets of discoloured water that while aesthetically displeasing is bacteriologically safe to drink.
“Until Council can change back to Boondooma Dam water, the only treatment available is advising Council when the problem occurs and crews will flush the water main in that area.
“Residents are advised to take appropriate action such as, storing enough drinking water for this period or switching to an alternative tank supply.”
