Council switch off two bores following results of Nelson’s Lagoon bore field retest

Burdekin Shire Council has isolated and switched off two groundwater bores in the Nelson’s Lagoon bore field after receiving the results of a recent retest.

Burdekin Shire Council Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Environmental Services Nick Wellwood said the results, which were received on Monday 22 October, indicated that two of the Nelson’s bores showed PFAS levels that exceeded the national health based guidelines.

“As a precautionary measure, Council disconnected the subject bores from our reticulation system,” Mr Wellwood said.

“Any shortfall in water caused by disconnection of the affected bores will be made up by water from other bore fields in South Ayr.

“Three months ago Council began to put into action plans to upgrade the Conlan Street bore field infrastructure as well as construct the bypass at the water treatment facility in South Ayr to cover for any supply shortfall created by the offline bores.

“This work is anticipated to be completed by the end of November.”

Mr Wellwood said Council has been in contact with the Water Supply Regulator and Queensland Health, and had informed them of the results.

“We will continue to work with the Water Supply Regulator, Department of Natural Resources Mines and Energy and Queensland Health to further look at any operational water supply issues and the potential source of any PFAS within the bore field.”

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin assured residents that the town water supply was safe to drink.

“Council is and will remain vigilant in the testing of all elements within our town drinking supply,” Cr McLaughlin said.

“I want to reassure our community members that the affected bores have been switched off and that there is no health risk from consuming the town water supply.

“Council will conduct further tests of the Nelson’s Lagoon bore field to see if there’s any trend in the data and we will continue to update the community as the analysis progresses.”