Council owns and operates three reticulated water systems at Julia Creek, Kynuna and McKinlay. All water is sourced from the Great Artesian Basin but is not disinfected, so there is a risk that the water supply can become contaminated. Council water sampling has detected Legionella pneumophilia and a fact sheet has been prepared with the assistance of the Townsville Public Health Unit to assist susceptible people with ways to reduce exposure to Legionella at home.
Insert link to attached fact sheet
Council water sampling has also detected Naegleria species in Kynuna and McKinlay systems. The species found in the systems do not cause disease but a certain species, Naegleria fowleri, can cause a very rare infection of the brain, when water enters the body up the nose. As a precaution, all residents and visitors are encouraged to:
- Empty and clean small collapsible wading pools and let them dry in the sun after each use
- Ensure swimming pools and spas are adequately chlorinated and well maintained
- Flush stagnant water from hoses before allowing children to play with hoses or sprinklers
- Don't allow water to go up your nose when bathing, showering or washing your face
- Supervise children playing with hoses or sprinklers and teach them not to squirt water up their nose
- Potentially contaminated water should not be used for any form of nasal irrigation or nasal lavage including Neti (an Ayurvedic practice of nasal cleansing)
For further information on Naegleria fowleri can be found on the Queensland Health website https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites/parasites/naegleria-fowleri-qs-as.
Naturally Occurring Fluoride in Julia Creek’s drinking water supply
McKinlay Shire Council advises that Julia Creek’s drinking water supply contain about 3 milligrams per litre of naturally occurring fluoride. This is considerably higher than the recommended limit in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines where they recommend an upper limit of 1.5 milligrams per litre (or parts per million) of fluoride in drinking water. This fluoride fact sheet has information relating to the background and management of fluoride in your drinking water.
Testing in February 2023 has come back with fluoride results in excess of over 3 milligrams per litre. The community will continue to be updated should future results read over 3 milligrams per litre Fluoride Comparison Data 2018-2023.
Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Audit Report
As per Section 108 of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 McKinlay Shire Council is required to conduct an audit of its approved DWQMP.
Water
Council owns and operates three articulated water systems at Julia Creek, Kynuna and McKinlay. All water is sourced from the Great Artesian Basin and complies with Australian drinking water guidelines.
Sewerage
Julia Creek is the only town in the shire with an articulated sewerage system. Other towns in the shire use septic systems.
Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008
The following is circulated as part of Council’s general interest in distributing information about Councils Water and Sewerage documents to ensure Council comply with Section 575A of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008..
- Customer Service Standard (PDF)
- DWQMP Annual Report (PDF)
- Performance Report2022-23 (XLS)