Public drinking fountains to re-open

After becoming aware of concerns related to water quality in public drinking fountains in the City of Greater Geelong region, the Borough of Queenscliffe Council organised testing of water from public drinking fountains in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.

The testing revealed levels of lead and nickel above the acceptable amount specified in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines in water from six public drinking fountains. Although the results of the testing were considered to pose minimal concern, Council closed the affected fountains, following advice provided by the State Department of Health and Human Services, to ensure the safety of members of the community.

The Department of Health and Human Services have advised that members of the community should not be concerned if they have consumed water from the affected fountains.

Council will re-open affected public drinking fountains in the Borough of Queenscliffe in the coming weeks, with accompanying signage requesting people to ‘flush’ public drinking fountains by running water through the fountains before drinking from them.