The Council has today issued the following Media Release which will be of particular interest to residents in townships along the coastal strip between Burnett Heads & Elliott Heads.
One of the main complaints that I receive is related to the taste and residue of the potable water supply emanating from the Kalkie Water Treatment Plant. About 11,000 coastal residents will benefit from Bundaberg Regional Council’s decision to construct a backup pipeline to the Kalkie Water Treatment Plant.
It’s worthwhile noting however that the Council will still have to rely on a “cocktail” of both river and underground sources however the outcome should provide a far more acceptable product than the current water supply which, even though it complies with acceptable standards,
MEDIA RELEASE
Cr Alan Bush, Council’s Water and Wastewater portfolio spokesperson said the current supply servicing coastal communities between Burnett Heads and Elliott Heads was drawn from an open channel utilising water from the Burnett River.
“In the event of this supply being disrupted it would cause a major distribution inconvenience to our coastal customers.
“Council is currently preparing for the construction of a second pipeline that will be located between the underground water supplied Mellifont Street Pump Station and the Kalkie Water Treatment Plant.
“This pipeline, which will cost $2 million and be four kilometres in length, will be funded over two years. Pipes for the first stage of construction which runs from the Kalkie plant along FE Walker Street are being delivered onsite this month with work expected to start in January.”
“The new pipeline will provide major quality benefits in addition to securing water for customers currently supplied from the Kalkie plant and distributed via the Hummock Reservoir,” Cr Bush said.
“There have been complaints from coastal residents regarding the hardness of the water from the Kalkie plant. The new pipeline will provide a cocktail of water from two sources – the river and underground – resulting in an improved product for customers.”
Cr Bush said it was expected the initial 2.8 kilometres of pipe laying work to be undertaken by Council staff would span a 20 weeks period and have minimal impact on local residents in the construction area.
“The remaining 1.2 kilometres of pipe would be laid in the 2015/16 financial year.”
ENDS