Ipswich locals furious at latest Urban Utilities drinking water fail

Eastern Ipswich residents claim they have become sick from foul, stinking water just days after Urban Utilities issued and recalled a “do not use’’ order.

East Ipswich residents say their water has been discoloured and smelly since at least November.

Residents from eastern Ipswich claim they have been made sick after having to put up with foul, stinking water, days after Urban Utilities issued and recalled a “do not use’’ order.

Confusion about the safety of drinking water in Raceview, Booval, Bundamba and Flinders View has been widespread since Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) announced on December 20 that low levels of two chemical solvents had been detected near a reservoir.

QUU said the levels of ethyl benzene and xylene were within safe drinking water guidelines.

But many residents reported becoming sick after drinking water, including several children allegedly in hospital with gastro-like symptoms.

The discoloured water in Raceview resident Hayley Dakin's bathtub.

“My son’s currently in hospital after drinking the water,” one resident posted on Facebook.

“I’d use bottled water if you can … he vomited (his vomit is green), has tummy pains and fatigue.”

Several others shared reports of similar symptoms, as well as headaches and dizziness.

One resident claimed even their dog became sick, while another said they received a $300 vet bill for their pet.

A West Moreton Health spokeswoman disputed the claims.

“West Moreton Health is not aware of any hospital presentations arising from the water quality issue. There is no risk to the community from water currently being supplied,” she said.

They also reassured the public that Queensland Health was working closely with it and with the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water on the issue.

She said QUU was investigating the source of the chemicals — petroleum-based solvents.

A pot after boiling affected water in Raceview.

She reassured residents the water was safe to drink but they were working to clear the water of any colour, taste or odour issues to achieve “normal aesthetic guidelines’’.

QUU encouraged anyone concerned about their water to flush taps and to contact them if problems continued.

“Turn the front outside tap on first and run it for around five minutes,’’ a QUU notice to residents said.

“Then, work through the house from front to back, running individual taps one at a time. “Finally, flush the tap at the back of the property.’’

Some residents claimed similar problems had been occurring since as November.

“Water issues have been going on since at least early November, from low water pressure to no water pressure, right through to the latest saga of tainted water,’’ one person posted.

“Their cookie cutter apologies don’t really go far when they want you to run your taps at $5 per thousand litres we put down the drain to fix their problem.”