Clarence Valley Council submits plans for upgrade of Rushforth Road Water Treatment Plant

As residents continue to complain about brown water pouring out of their taps, a northern NSW council is one step closer to an ambitious and costly project targeted at addressing the issue.

Rushforth Road water treatment plant’s proposed upgrade.

After years of water quality complaints, the Clarence Valley is one step closer to building a new water treatment plant.

The proposed site is located on Rushforth Rd, approximately 6km southwest of Grafton.

In February, Clarence councillors unanimously voted to begin the planning process for this ambitious project.

The vote came on the back of Level 4 water restrictions which were implemented due to the high turbidity in Nymboida River.

Turbidity is a key indicator of water quality and refers to how clear the water is, and high turbidity water appears murky and discoloured.

The proposed site for the improved Rushforth Road water treatment plant.

According to planning documents, the quality at the Rushforth Road water plant, which primarily treats water from the Nymboida River, has declined over recent years.

“Raw water sources … (have declined) due to several extreme weather events, including bushfires and flooding … (and council) has determined that upgrading the site’s infrastructure has become critical,” plans state.

Frustration with the area’s water quality is a regular occurrence.

Many residents post to a dedicated Facebook page titled Clarence Valley – What’s wrong with our water??? to share images of brown water and provide updates on the issue in various communities.

One of this year’s posts depicting the Clarence’s water quality.

“(The) state government needs to put its money where its mouth is and fix this water quality problem once and for all. It’s ridiculous,” a group member complained.

Another resident said she left Grafton earlier this year because she believed the water was making her sick.

Another post depicting brown bath water in the lower Clarence.

“For four years living in gtown (sic) I was ill daily … and I can safely say the water was making me ill,” she wrote.

Currently, a boil water alert – first issued in October – remains in place for Glenreagh residents.

The council is meeting with the state government public health unit and will announce whether the restrictions are lifted on Tuesday.

The current 32 megalitre Rushforth Road water treatment plant.

If the Clarence Valley Council’s proposal for an upgraded water treatment plant is approved, the new water treatment facility could be constructed in just over two years.

The new plant will build upon current water facilities.

It will include the construction of a new filtration treatment facility and both the chlorine tank and storage facilities will be reviewed.

Originally published as Clarence Valley Council submits plans for upgrade of Rushforth Road Water Treatment Plant