Unplanned water outage in Emerald

Update 11.00 pm:

Water supply has been restored to Emerald residents affected by the unplanned water outage.

The advice to boil water for consumption remains current until further notice for those residents affected by the outage.

As a result of re-pressurising the system over the next 24 hours, people may see fire hydrants across town leaking water. If you notice a leaking fire hydrant, please call 1300 242 686 to report it.

Acting General Manager Infrastructure & Utilities Jason Hoolihan explains what happened, how our water network works and what we’ve got planned below.

Update 7.44 pm:

The repairs are complete and the filling of water mains has begun with reports of clear low-pressure water south of Roberts Street. This process is expected to take a couple of hours to avoid airlocks in the system.

As a result of re-pressurising the system over the next 24 hours, people may see fire hydrants across town leaking water. If you notice a leaking fire hydrant, please call 1300 242 686 to report it.

Affected residents may also notice some discolouration and are asked to flush their plumbing by running the outside tap closed to the water meter for a few minutes until the water runs clear. Avoid using the washing machine or dishwasher while the water remains discoloured.

As a precaution, affected residents are also asked to bring water for consumption to a rolling boil until further notice.

Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated. Cooled boiled or bottled water should be used for:

drinking, cooking, washing raw foods (such as seafood or salads), making ice, pet’s drinking water and cleaning teeth dishes should be washed in hot soapy water and children should take bottled or cooled boiled water to school.

Update 5.00pm:

Works to repair a broken water main in Emerald are unfortunately taking longer than expected and affected areas are likely to remain without water until later tonight or into the early morning.

Crews will continue to work into the night with every effort made to complete repairs as quickly as possible.

Please note: When the water supply is first turned back on affected residents may notice some discolouration. People are asked to flush their plumbing by running the outside tap closed to the water meter for a few minutes until the water runs clear. Avoid using the washing machine or dishwasher while the water remains discoloured.

As a precaution, affected residents are also asked to bring water for consumption to a rolling boil until further notice.

Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated. Cooled boiled or bottled water should be used for:

drinking, cooking, washing raw foods (such as seafood or salads), making ice, pet’s drinking water and cleaning teeth dishes should be washed in hot soapy water and children should take bottled or cooled boiled water to school.

We thank you for your patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Update 1.00 pm:

The unplanned water outage extends to the north of the Capricorn Highway in Emerald and the area south of the highway between Opal and Riverview Streets, Slack Drive and Selma Road.

Update at 12.16 pm:

Emerald people north of the Capricorn Highway are expected to be without water until approximately 6.00 pm on 21 June 2021.

Every effort will be made to complete the repairs as quickly as possible.

Previously:

An unplanned water outage is affecting people across Emerald due to a water main break in Harris Street.

People may experience either low water pressure or a total interruption to their water supply.

Council’s water network crews are on-site and commencing repairs. As of 11.30 am on Monday 21 June 2021, it is unclear how long repairs will take and when water supplies will be restored. An update will be provided as soon as possible.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

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