Water supply reaches critical level

Council advises residents that water supply across the region is at critical levels.

There is very limited supply which may run out this morning if water cannot be restored to the treatment plant.

Some suburbs in Cairns may already be without water due to damaged infrastructure.

Residents who have water supply should only use water for:

Mayor Terry James said water supply intakes had been blocked by debris as a result of the recent severe weather. This has prevented water being treated in recent days.

Treated water supplies in reservoirs have now been depleted.

“Council has not turned water off, as many are reporting,” Cr James said. “We have simply run out of processed water.

“Major flooding has caused a major blockage at the Crystal Cascades intake which supplies the water treatment plant at Tunnel Hill.

“This morning our crews navigated very challenging conditions and landslides and had to climb their way into Crystal Cascades to access and clear the debris from the intake to the treatment plant.

“Work to restore water supply is ongoing. We are hopeful of clearing the blockage today.”

Once services are restored, there will be limited water supply until the reservoirs can be replenished. Residents should continue to only use water for critical purposes until further notice.

“The cooperation of the Cairns community in conserving water during this challenging period is crucial,” Cr James said. “We do not want to see people outside hosing their driveways.”

WHAT CAN I USE WATER FOR?

Cairns Regional Council will provide updates as they become available.