Council opens upgraded Mt Kynoch Laboratory

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has unveiled its newly refurbished Mt Kynoch Laboratory.

TRC Water and Waste Committee chair Cr Nancy Sommerfield said the provision of safe and secure water supply was one of Council’s top responsibilities.

“The $1.3 million upgrade project will allow the laboratory to expand its range of testing services, including more tests for water from private sources,” Cr Sommerfield said.

“The new facilities will ensure faster testing turnaround times, which will allow residents to benefit from higher quality water. It also means we will be able to react faster to any developing issues.

“The Mt Kynoch Laboratory upgrade will also support improved testing standards, address space requirements, meet new Workplace Health and Safety specifications and updated microbiological hazard containment requirements.

“Toowoomba Region's Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant houses a comprehensive water analysis facility. The improvements to the facility will help Council to save money with the option of doing more in-house testing.

“Council is testing new processes that will save up to $3000 per week immediately for services that were previously outsourced. A range of new testing regimes will create additional savings on top of this.

“This would not have been possible in the old laboratory due to insufficient safety and environmental compliance for air handling and bunding for the required tests.

“The new covered flooring and air systems will address these compliance issues through the reduction of potential hydrocarbon, acid and particulate releases.

“Information, communication and technology upgrades will improve customer service through the reduction of manual data handling, which will improve sample turnaround times.

“The upgrades will help with future-proofing the facility. Technology upgrades, including networking, wifi, electricity and air handling availability will help connect new instrumentation that may be required in the future.

“The water that is produced in our region is renowned for its quality and the upgraded laboratory will ensure that we continue to meet the high standards that our community expects.

“In 2018, Mt Kynoch water received international recognition from the industry when it represented Australia at the ‘Best Water in the World’ competition at the 28th Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting in the United States.

“A clean, sustainable water supply is vital for our health and one of the most important issues facing the region.”

TRC Water and Waste Portfolio Leader Cr Bill Cahill said water operators and laboratory technicians at Mt Kynoch tested water samples daily to ensure residents had a safe and secure drinking water supply.

“The Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant treats around 25 ML per day in cooler months (equivalent to 10 Olympic swimming pools) and up to 53 ML per day in warmer months.

“Water treated at the Mt Kynoch Water Treatment Plant undergoes extensive sampling and scientific testing each day to ensure all safety guidelines were met.

“Following testing of the dams to determine the best source of available water, water then undergoes a four-step chemical test for metals (iron and manganese) and a simultaneous biological test to detect micro-organisms such as E. coli.

“Any abnormalities automatically trigger additional testing and any necessary remedial action.

“The provision of safe and reliable water is vital to ensuring Council can underpin ongoing residential and other development well into the future.”

For more information about water sampling services please go to www.tr.qld.gov.au/watertesting