Livingstone Shire Council Celebrates a Decade of E.coli-Free Drinking Water
Livingstone Shire Council is proud to announce a remarkable milestone in water quality management, marking a ten-year streak of providing E.coli-free drinking water.
This feat is unparalleled among Drinking Water Service Providers with fewer than 15,000 connections in Queensland, and possibly across Australia, demonstrating Council's commitment to water safety and setting a new standard of excellence in the field.
Infrastructure Committee Co-chair Councillor Rhodes Watson said this success is a result of the diligent implementation of a robust Drinking Water Quality Management Plan (DWQMP), continuously refined through internal and external regulatory audits.
“Council’s DWQMP is guided by the Water Safety and Reliability Act 2008, ensuring the highest standards of water safety and reliability,” Cr Watson said.
“This remarkable achievement not only highlights Council’s dedication to water quality but also sets a standard for others to emulate, showcasing the importance of safeguarding public health through superior drinking water management.”
Council’s Water and Waste Operations Technical Specialist, Michael Dalton, said Council takes pride in this outstanding accomplishment, recognising the collaborative efforts of everyone involved.
“The milestone underscores Council's commitment to providing residents with consistently high-quality drinking water,” Mr Dalton said.
“As we celebrate a decade of E.coli-free water, Livingstone Shire Council remains dedicated to maintaining and enhancing its water quality standards.
“Congratulations to all stakeholders for their commitment to safeguarding our community's health and well-being.”
Infrastructure Committee Co-chair Councillor Glenda Mather said the quality of water from Council’s Woodbury Water Treatment Plant, situated near Kelly’s Off Stream Storage in Byfield, has garnered numerous awards in taste tests over the years.
“Factors contributing to this quality include sand filtration in the upstream dunes of Water Park Creek, a pristine catchment, riparian vegetation in the source stream, the pattern of stratification and mixing, low conductivity, and minimal nutrient concentrations,” Cr Mather said.
“Water is pumped from Water Park Creek into the Off Stream Storage and then to Council’s Woodbury Water Treatment Plant.
“At the plant, water undergoes conventional treatment processes such as coagulation, flocculation, clarification, filtration, and disinfection by chlorination.”