'Quaid's Dam not financially viable' - Council's full response to Bernt Berentsen's Letter to Editor
COUNCIL RESPONSE
Newsport published a Letter to Editor on March 11 from local resident Bernt Berentsen to Douglas Shire Council about the future of the Douglas Shire water supply.
In it Mr Berentsen asked a number of questions to CEO Rachel Brophy.
A short time ago Mr Berentsen came back to Newsport to pass on Ms Brophy's response to his letter addressed to him on March 20. You can read Mr Berentsen's original letter here.
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Dear Mr Berentsen,
I refer to your email of 8 March 2024 regarding your open letter to Newsport about the water network across Douglas Shire, following my meeting with yourself and other businesses facilitated by Tourism Port Douglas Daintree on 4 March 2024.
Due to the unstable soil at and above the water intakes, sand and mud are causing high turbidity in the Shire's raw water sources.
Before Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, high turbidity was a common issue during rain events, but turbidity soon reduced after the rain stopped. After TC Jasper, high turbidity is continuing for longer periods at elevated levels, even when weather is stable.
High raw water turbidity has affected the water treatment processes by blocking filtration membranes, resulting in more frequent backwashing (cleaning). Although water treatment processes have been effective, the production is slowed down due to reduced production rates.
Water production issues have been exacerbated by increased breaks within the water network, contributing to high water losses.
Network breaks have been caused by debris moved by flood waters, pressure fluctuations and ground movement due to high water tables and soil saturation differences.
In relation to your questions, I can provide the following information:
Has a solution to fix the water supply in the Shire been identified?
Immediately following TC Jasper, Council began undertaking work to repair damage across the entire water network, including at water intakes, water treatment plants, pipes and reservoirs.
Some of the solutions currently being implemented include:
- Regular monitoring and chemical analysis at water intakes
- Repair of main breaks and other pipes in the water network
- Regular cleaning of the filtration systems at water treatment plants
- Leak detection across the network.
- Water usage analysis and network optimisation, and Building operational resilience into the system through additional filtration and interconnectors between the two systems (in Mossman and Whyanbeel).
Has DSC applied for funding to carry out the work required?
Council is aware that major upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure will require funding from the State and Australian Governments, or borrowing. At its 9 April 2024 Council meeting, Council approved $6.4 million in funding to match a $10 million grant contribution from the Australian and Queensland Governments to develop an alternative water intake from the Mossman River.
Council continues to work with the Queensland Government to access funding initiatives to improve water security in Douglas Shire.
Is there a timeline for when the work is estimated to commence and complete?
As outlined above, work commenced immediately following TC Jasper and is continuing. Council is undertaking a range of short-term activities to respond to immediate water management and infrastructure issues. Specialist consultants have been engaged to work with Council to establish medium to longer term strategies, focusing on achieving the outcomes of Council's water security program.
Information about the proposed program of work will be considered by Council as they are developed and published on Council's website.
Will DSC investigate the possibility of running a pipeline from Quaids Dam?
Following the question raised at the meeting regarding Quaid Dam, Council undertook an assessment of running a pipeline from the Quaid Dam (Lake Mitchell). This analysis indicated this would not be a financially viable option and there are a number of other constraints, including that the dam is located outside the Douglas Shire boundary, it would involve a complex pipe construction route through the gorge and the requirement to negotiate and agree water access with a private landowner.
I acknowledge the concerns of the community about Douglas Shire's water infrastructure, and we are working as quickly as possible to understand the changed environment of raw water sources and develop a range of solutions. Council will make information available as soon as practical on its website.
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