Birdsville’s smelly water ‘safe’ to drink

ABC News Chrissy Arthur 23 April 2013

The Diamantina Shire Council says the water supply at Birdsville in far south-west Queensland is safe to drink, despite a strong sulphur-like odour.

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Conference Alert – Asia Pacific Water Recycling Conference

1-4 July 2013 Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

This joint conference by the Australian Water Association, Water Services Association Australia and Water Research Australia provides the chance to hear the differing views on indirect and potable reuse of treated wastewater, learn to understand and inform public attitudes on recycled water, and most importantly hear about the positive response to the cost savings and environmental gains by reusing water they would otherwise have discharged. There will be an extensive and high quality program of papers from Australia and the Asia Pacific region focusing on new innovations and advances from research and field application.

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Scientist defends report linking dredging to fish disease

ABC News William Rollo Apr 17, 2013

The scientist who prepared a report linking dredging in Gladstone Harbour in central Queensland to fish disease says a recent CSIRO assessment contradicting his finding is wrong.
Veterinary pathologist Dr Matt Landos says the dredging program released metals such as copper and aluminium into the harbour, killing marine life.
However, a CSIRO review says the concentration of metals was not high enough to be toxic and the influx of fresh water during the 2011 floods stressed marine health.
Dr Landos says that is not backed up by evidence.

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Conference Alert – Asia Pacific Water Recycling Conference

1-4 July 2013, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

This joint conference by the Australian Water Association, Water Services Association Australia and Water Research Australia provides the chance to hear the differing views on indirect and potable reuse of treated wastewater, learn to understand and inform public attitudes on recycled water, and most importantly hear about the positive response to the cost savings and environmental gains by reusing water they would otherwise have discharged. There will be an extensive and high quality program of papers from Australia and the Asia Pacific region focusing on new innovations and advances from research and field application.

Link to conference website

City Hall investigates ‘unusual smells’ in Newstead

Brisbane Times Katherine Feeney 10 April 2013

Brisbane City Council is testing water drawn from a stormwater system at Newstead for sewage after the network was inundated in the Australia Day flood.  The team working on the network from Breakfast Creek Road to Brisbane River is in the process of collecting samples and testing the water to confirm whether it contains high levels of faecal coliforms, or E coli.

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Same-day water pollution test could keep beaches open more often

(American Chemical Society 3 April 2013) With warm summer days at the beach on the minds of millions of winter-weary people, scientists are reporting that use of a new water quality test this year could prevent unnecessary beach closures while better protecting the health of swimmers. A study analyzing the accuracy of the test appears in ACS’ journal Environmental Science & Technology.

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Burnett River still too hazardous, authorities say

ABC News 25 March 2013

Authorities warn Burnett River in Bundaberg in southern Queensland is still too hazardous for recreational use.

Meanwhile, the Bundaberg council says it will start removing E.coli bacteria from wastewater this week.

Disinfection equipment at the Millbank Sewage Treatment Plant was wiped out in the January floods.

Council spokesman Jeff Rohdmann says a temporary chlorinator will be installed.

Environment Minister Andrew Powell says the State Government will monitor repairs at the plant.

Mr Powell says a permit allowing council to release low-quality effluent into the Burnett River will expire in May.

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Urgent meetings over water sediment threat

Brisbane Times Tony Moore March 22, 2013

Directors-general of three state government departments have been called in to urgent meetings to discuss the threat which silt in the Brisbane River poses to Brisbane’s water supply.
Deputy director of the Australian Rivers Institute Professor Jon Olley yesterday warned the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Centre could again be clogged with silt in the next “very heavy” rain.
During January’s flood, Brisbane came within six hours of running out of treated drinking water because the river sediment blocked the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plant.

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E. coli wastewater released into Burnett River

ABC News Alyse Edwards 22 March 2013

The Bundaberg Regional Council says residents should avoid swimming or fishing in the Burnett River in the southern Queensland region with E. coli bacteria still a concern.
The Millbank Sewerage Treatment Plant says wastewater is being released into the catchment after January’s floods destroyed a chlorinator.

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Queensland’s last uranium mine still leaking radioactive water 30 years after production stopped

The Courier Mail John McCarthy March 21, 2013

THE state’s last uranium mine at Mary Kathleen – in the Selwyn Range between Mount Isa and Cloncurry – is still leaking radioactive water from the site 30 years after production stopped.
But, according to a committee report handed to the State Government this week, the return of uranium mining to Queensland is “risky but manageable”.
“The uranium mining industry has a number of inherent environmental risks,” the report said.

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