Dead snake contaminates parts of Tweed Shire’s drinking water supply

Water in some parts of the Tweed has been deemed “unsafe” to drink and council has been forced to drain a reservoir. Here’s what caused the problem.

Residents in parts of the Tweed have been told to boil drinking water until the all clear is given by the council.

A dead snake has been blamed for “unsafe” drinking water flowing to properties in parts of the Tweed.

The water quality issue in Glencoe Reserve at North Arm has impacted Bray Park, parts of Murwillumbah and Crystal Creek and prompted a Tweed Shire Council warning.

Residents have been urged to boil water to avoid health issues.

Acting Director Engineering for the council Brie Jowett said routine sampling indicated unusual results, showing lower chlorine levels in the water where a dead snake was found.

New underwater drones have been used to help fix the problem, which would have been a more difficult task previously

Ms Jowett said the council “would have to get diving contractors to undertake the operation” without the technology.

“It has sped up how we’re able to do that and meant we’re able to address it very quickly,” she said.

Ms Jowett said it was very unusual for the council to find a dead snake or the like in drinking water reserves.

Glencoe Reservoir has since been drained and cleaned.

The council has been liaising with NSW Health to ensure the water is safe to drink.

“We need to be 100 per cent and guarantee water quality safely. It’s not something we’ll do with any factor of risk” Ms Jowett said.

A further announcement will be made by the council when the water is deemed safe.