Dubbo Regional Council is bringing forward projects worth $2.1 million to expand water treatment methods at its plants in Dubbo, Wellington and Geurie in New South Wales.
It has already installed river turbidity meters to give earlier warning when poor quality raw water is flowing in Macquarie River and plans to install UV systems at Wellington and Geurie in 2020.
The projects are on top of recent works that included filter remediation, pond relining and new dosing systems.
The new measures are being implemented as a precautionary Boil Water Alert remains in place for Wellington where river turbidity, colour and higher levels of manganese continue to hamper water treatment in meeting New South Wales Health standards.
Council Director Infrastructure, Julian Geddes, said, “Improvement in test results of water being treated at the Wellington plant has fluctuated using chemical dosing and more mechanical treatment is now being implemented.
“Extra treatment of the water in Wellington has also included adding aeration to the settlement pond and modifying backwash systems to try and improve the plant’s ability to process unusually poor quality raw water.”
Mr Geddes said the UV system project at Dubbo, Wellington and Geurie would assist in management of future water quality.
Wellington has been on a Boil Water Alert since 5 February 2020. Dubbo Council continues to provide bottled water to key facilities in the town, including schools.
“We have not experienced these types of issues with the raw water before – even after coming out of previous droughts. While it is unfortunate this boil water alert remains in place, Council encourages the community to remain alert and continue to boil water for drinking, washing fruit and vegetables, making baby formula and brushing teeth,” Mr Geddes said.
