Clarence Valley residents worried about dirty water being pumped to Grafton and surrounds

Clarence Valley Council has revealed there has been some improvement in the water quality problem plaguing Grafton and surrounds – but restrictions remain in place.

Clarence Valley Council has revealed there has been some improvement in the water quality problem plaguing Grafton and surrounds, with a boil water alert lifted for Coutts Crossing.

But severe (Level 4) water restrictions remain in place to avoid an LGA-wide boil water alert.

The council said on Thursday after consultation with NSW Health that tap water in Coutts Crossing was safe to drink.

“Testing confirms the water supply system has been filled with freshly treated water that is safe,” a statement read.

Hendrik van Zyl noticed discolouration in his water. Picture: Hendrik van Zyl

“There is no longer a public health concern over the quality of drinking water and it is now considered safe for all typical uses including drinking, preparing food and beverages, personal washing, dishwashing, laundry purposes and flushing toilets.

“Clarence Valley Council has worked closely with NSW Health to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”

The council said it emptied the Coutts Crossing Reservoir, treated the reservoir with chlorine and refilled the tank.

”(Crews) have also flushed the water mains in the area to reintroduce safe, clean water to the local water supply system,” the statement read.

An aerial view over South Grafton. Residents across Grafton and surrounds have faced water quality issues. Picture: Clarence Valley Council

The council warned residents to flush out affected water from their pipes with running water for two to three minutes (including the tap most distant from their water meter, which is usually in backyards) before drinking the water.

“Council would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while we worked to resolve this issue,” the statement read.

Water restrictions are not in place for Minnie Water and Wooli residents, who receive their water supply from Lake Minnie Water and Lake Hiawatha.

‘What’s going on?’: Shock images of sludge in Grafton water

February 9: A Grafton man has expressed concern over the state of the town’s dirty water and shared photos of his concerning find amid ongoing restrictions.

Hendrik van Zyl is one of many locals who have taken to Facebook to raise concerns.

He noticed discolouration in the water to his home and shared a photo of his discovery.

“So what’s going on with Grafton’s water??” he said.

Mr van Zyl was told the water in the area has been of poor quality for years and he was advised to boil before consumption.

He told the Grafton Examiner he and his wife spotted yellow deposits staining the toilet the last couple of months, while he has also noticed brown water flowing from taps.

Level four water restrictions have been issued across the valley. Picture: Luis Tosa

“We’ve never buy bottled water because we always think that or assume that the water that comes out of the tap is really of good quality,” he said.

“Since the yellow deposits started, I’m questioning whether the water is good for human consumption.

“I’ve never seen anything like this where it leaves yellow deposits and streaks on the enamel.

“And I’m supposed to drink that? That worries me.”

Clarence Valley Council and Water NSW were contacted for comment.

Water NSW said the dirty water was “an issue for Clarence Valley Council, as opposed to Water NSW.”

A council spokesperson said they were “anticipating a positive development about the current situation” and were waiting to hear from NSW Health.

Mr van Zyl shared his concerns as level four water restrictions continue across the Clarence Valley due to a prolonged dirty water event in the Nymboida River.

Last week, the council introduced restrictions to avoid the need for a boil water alert across the whole water supply system.

Level 4 restrictions ban all outside watering. Commercial and industrial water users should refer to the water restrictions policy on the council’s website for permitted uses.

Restrictions will be reviewed when water quality in the Nymboida River improves.

A boil water alert was issued for Coutts Crossing. Picture: Thinkstock

Since the February-March 2022 rainfall and flooding, the turbidity – a measure of how dirty the water is – has remained above 19NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit), a council spokesperson said last week.

It meant the water was untreatable for drinking water. The maximum turbidity allowed for drinking water is 3.5NTU.

Clarence residents took to social media declaring “Grafton’s water has always been bad” and “it’s been like this for decades”.

One person said they “even get what looks like sludge” in the water to their home.

A spokesperson for the council previously said: “While there have been numerous rainfall events since Shannon Creek Dam was commissioned in November 2008, this is the first time in more than 14 years of operation that the dam turbidity has not returned to below 3.5NTU within six to 12 weeks of a rainfall event.”

“This continued high turbidity is thought to be a result of impacts from the 2019 bushfires, which burned most of the Shannon Creek Dam catchment.

“Until now water has been pumped directly from the Nymboida River (bypassing the dam), which due to the most recent rainfall event is currently too dirty to continue pumping into the system.”

The council has issued guidelines for using the water in its current state.

The restrictions are not in place for Minnie Water and Wooli residents because they receive their water supply from Lake Minnie Water and Lake Hiawatha.