Residents of Hughenden are increasingly purchasing bottled water due to concerns over the quality of their tap water.
In Queensland, over half of the water infrastructure has exceeded its intended lifespan, and in Hughenden, many locals have opted to completely avoid tap water.
According to Maree Christensen, owner of a local grocery store, “People are selecting bottled water instead of drinking from the tap because of its unpleasant smell, taste, and discoloration.”
Families are reportedly spending upwards of $50 weekly on bottled water, as the municipal water supply has been described as discolored and foul-tasting. Some residents have even compared the odor and flavor to that of chlorine-treated pool water, with sediment occasionally creating a gritty feel.
At Christensen’s store, more than 800 liters of bottled water are sold each week. “Customers often buy between four to six of the 10-liter bottles weekly,” she informed 7.30. “We restock the shelves three to six times a day; it’s a continuous effort.”
The deteriorating quality of the town’s bore water has forced a local café to rely solely on bottled water for its coffee machines.
This issue resonates with Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle, who has long advocated for financial support to enhance the town’s water supply. “I have run a bath for my children, and the water has come out brown,” Peddle recounted. “In our communities, there’s a sense of resilience, and people often accept that our services may not be on par with others. However, I believe access to clean water should not fall into that category.”
The bore pipes supplying the town are significantly outdated. Typically, a bore from the Great Artesian Basin has an average lifespan of 60 years, yet many in Hughenden are well beyond that threshold.
During a tour of one of the oldest bores, which was built in 1902 and is over twice its expected age, Mayor Peddle noted the urgent need for replacement. “One bore has turned brown from leaking water, and replacing these bores could cost around $1 million each,” she explained.
“Each year, we allocate what we can to gradually address the aging infrastructure, but we find ourselves constantly reactive rather than proactive, as we are merely patching up what is already broken,” Mayor Peddle added.
A report from the Local Government Association reveals that the costs associated with essential upgrades to Queensland’s water infrastructure surpass $5 billion, with advocacy group Queensland Water stating that the situation has reached critical levels.
“Between 1945 and the 1970s, there was significant development, and now all our infrastructure is reaching the end of its designed lifespan,” remarked CEO Dr. Georgina Davis. “Since losing permanent funding for water infrastructure in 2009, councils have struggled to invest in new projects, despite being aware that the systems are aging.”
While Queensland has a notable amount of aging infrastructure, the issue of infrastructure decline is a nationwide concern.
State and territory governments are responsible for regulating drinking water under specific legislation that aligns with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). Most have adopted these guidelines, which set forth requirements for providing safe and high-quality water.
Michael Lawrence, associate director for water and environment at Bligh Tanner and a former Queensland water regulator, noted that the state’s drinking water legislation does not mandate complete adherence to the ADWG.
“The guidelines inform the legislation, but they do not require full compliance,” Dr. Lawrence stated. “The ADWG also includes guiding principles, one of which emphasizes the necessity of multiple robust barriers tailored to treat various risks within a water source.”
The guidelines were revised in response to significant incidents, including the 1998 Sydney water crisis, which left millions without safe drinking water due to a Cryptosporidium outbreak. This waterborne parasite poses serious health risks and is resistant to chlorine, necessitating additional treatment methods.
Not all of Queensland’s older treatment facilities can effectively eliminate Cryptosporidium and similar pathogens. Dr. Lawrence pointed out the potential dangers, referencing a 2016 waterborne bacteria outbreak in Havelock North, New Zealand, which resulted in widespread illness and fatalities.
“Such incidents are rare, but their repercussions are entirely unacceptable,” he warned. “Previous water treatment designs did not account for pathogens like Cryptosporidium as health threats, and the filtration systems were intended for different purposes than what is now required.”
Despite the ongoing challenges with water quality, Hughenden’s population is projected to increase by 50% over the next six years, as the town serves as a central point for the $14 million CopperString project, which aims to connect western Queensland to the national electricity grid.
Mayor Peddle noted that this project has been pivotal in securing $20 million in state funding for a new water treatment facility. “The opportunity arose because we could leverage a major infrastructure project to enhance our services,” she stated. “However, the water quality issue is a significant challenge across the entire state.”
