LIFTED Public Warning: No Swimming in the Barron River

Final Update – Monday, 19 February 2024 LIFTED – Public Warning – No Swimming in the Barron River

PROJECT UPDATE

Public Warning – No Swimming in the Barron River LIFTED as of Monday, 19 February 2024

A public warning was issued to residents on 29 January to refrain from swimming in the Barron River due to damage to Council’s sewerage infrastructure that resulted in wastewater being released into the Barron River in Mareeba.

Council would like to advise that the project to install a temporary sewer bypass was completed last week and following testing the public warning has been LIFTED as of Monday, 19 February 2024.

Council monitors the raw and treated water quality at its treatment plants in accordance with its approved Drinking Water Quality Management Plan and confirms that all treated water distributed from Council’s water treatment plants is safe to drink.

Residents are reminded to please continue to report damage to community infrastructure by contacting Council on 1300 308 461 or emailing [email protected].

For further information on Council water, please visit, Water Information – Mareeba Shire Council.

Residents drawing water out of the Barron River are reminded of the risks associated with use of untreated surface water. For information on using water safely on rural properties, please visit, Safe water on rural properties.

Third Update – Wednesday, 14 February 2024 Public Warning: No Swimming in the Barron River 

PROJECT UPDATE

Council would like to report that a temporary bypass solution has now been installed and wastewater is no longer being released into the Barron River following damage to Council’s sewerage infrastructure last month.

The temporary bypass solution involves the installation of a large pump and new rising main from the Lloyd Street sewer manhole to redirect the sewage back into the sewer main downstream from the blockage.

The large pump on site is operated by a generator and we would like to apologise for the noise caused by the equipment. Council is working closely with Ergon to establish an electrical connection for the pump and will remove the generator as soon as possible.

The public warning to residents issued on 29 January to refrain from swimming in the Barron River remains current until further water quality testing is completed.

Council monitors the raw and treated water quality at its treatment plants in accordance with its approved Drinking Water Quality Management Plan and confirms that all treated water distributed from Council’s water treatment plants is safe to drink.

Residents are reminded to please continue to report damage to community infrastructure by contacting Council on 1300 308 461 or emailing [email protected].

For further information on Council water, please visit, Water Information – Mareeba Shire Council.

Residents drawing water out of the Barron River are reminded of the risks associated with use of untreated surface water. For information on using water safely on rural properties, please visit, Safe water on rural properties.

Update published – 2 February 2024

Mareeba Shire Council wishes to remind residents that a public warning to residents issued on 29 January to refrain from swimming in the Barron River remains current.

Damage to Council’s sewerage infrastructure is resulting in wastewater being released into the Barron River in Mareeba. Infrastructure and communities across Mareeba Shire have been impacted by Cyclone Jasper and ongoing rainfall since mid-December 2023, including the Mareeba sewerage network.

On Sunday, 21 January 2024, Council was alerted to a sinkhole that appeared beside a sewer manhole on Lloyd Street Mareeba, opposite the Mareeba Hospital.

The area was barricaded off to ensure safety of the public, and Council made several attempts to investigate the cause and repair any damage. Unfortunately, investigations later confirmed that the 14-metre-deep sewer main under Lloyd Street had become fully blocked, resulting in sewage overflowing into the Barron River north of Atherton Street.

Council has been working closely with the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water and Queensland Health in relation to the current situation.

Water quality testing has commenced at various locations along the Barron River and Council has vacuum trucks operating to divert as much sewage as possible, back into the sewerage system downstream from the Lloyd Street break, helping to minimise the amount of sewage entering the Barron River.

Due to the depth of the sewer main, and instability of the surrounding ground, excavating to repair the blocked sewer main under Lloyd Street cannot be undertaken safely. Council is working on a temporary bypass solution which will involve installation of a large pump and new rising main being from the Lloyd Street sewer manhole to redirect the sewage back into the sewer main downstream from the blockage.

The necessary equipment and materials have been ordered for the temporary bypass and contractors are scheduled to commence work from 7 February 2024. It is anticipated that the temporary sewer bypass will be operational by 20 February 2024.

The blocked sewer main under Lloyd Street is an important part of Council’s sewerage network, with sewage from Kenneally Road, Constance Street, Sutherland Street, Hastie Road and surrounding areas all discharging via this location. Council is aware there have been several sewer overflows in this part of the network in recent weeks and is working to identify if there are any other causes contributing to this issue.

Council will soon commence its sewer fogging program in Mareeba, which will help to detect leaks or unauthorised connections that may be allowing stormwater to pass into the sewer network.

Council monitors the raw and treated water quality at its treatment plants in accordance with its approved Drinking Water Quality Management Plan and confirms that all treated water distributed from Council’s water treatment plants is safe to drink.

Residents are reminded to please continue to report damage to community infrastructure by contacting Council on 1300 308 461 or emailing [email protected].

For further information on Council water, please visit, Water Information – Mareeba Shire Council.

Residents drawing water out of the Barron River are reminded of the risks associated with use of untreated surface water. For information on using water safely on rural properties, please visit, Safe water on rural properties.

-Ends-