Queensland residents warned to save water after floodwaters inundate Mount Crosby plant

Residents in some parts of Queensland have been warned to save water now after a treatment plant was inundated with muddy floodwaters.

Residents in parts of Queensland’s southeast have been warned to save water after the local treatment plant was impacted by the latest floods.

Muddy floodwater has inundated the Mt Crosby plant, meaning it is taking longer to treat the water and is impacting capacity.

Southeast Queensland Water has urged locals to reduce their water supply over the coming days. But they say the water is still safe to drink and there’s no need to boil it.

“This extreme weather has impacted the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plants which are temporarily operating at reduced capacity,” the company said in a statement.

“This is as a result of flood waters washing soil and debris into the creeks and waterways, which flow into the treatment plants.

“This is a precaution only. Any reduction in water use over the next couple of days will greatly assist in managing water supply through this weather event.”

Residents in Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan are being asked to save water. This extreme weather has impacted the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plants which are temporarily operating at reduced capacity. Read more: https://t.co/HwIJDVPOyg

— Seqwater (@Seqwater) May 14, 2022

The urgent warning came on Saturday night as residents were left to mop up the mess of the state’s latest flooding event.

The Gympie and Scenic Rim regions were some of the hardest hit with torrential rain leaving disaster in its wake.

Dozens of flood warnings remained in place on Sunday while a marine wind warning has also been issued.

Surf and swell conditions are expected to be “hazardous” and peopled have been warned against rock fishing, boating, and swimming on Fraser Island, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

On Saturday there were fears the Mary River could peak as high as 15m after it rose to more than 12m on Friday, prompting the urgent flood alerts for surrounding areas as rain continued to batter the regions.

A major flood warning remains in place for the Mary River at Tiaro and a moderate flood warning for the river at Gympie.

Several roads have been closed across Queensland due to the latest flooding event. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Residents in some areas were warned to save water after a treatment plant was impacted. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

The Bruce Highway has been closed in both directions at Gympie with diversions in place and emergency services warning of delays for motorists.

Queensland’s Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan on Saturday announced disaster assistance for 12 Local Government Areas suffering through the flooding event.

Personal hardship disaster assistance will be available for residents in the Lockyer Valley and Southern Downs to cover the costs of immediate essential needs such as food, temporary accommodation, clothing and medication.

In addition, the Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Gympie, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, North Burnett, South Burnett, Southern Downs and Toowoomba LGAs will be able to access counter disaster operations assistance to cover the costs of the immediate clean-up efforts.

The rainfall is expected to ease across Queensland on Sunday with a top of 28C and sunny skies expected in Gympie over the next two days before more rain is forecast later in the water.

Meanwhile, large parts of South East Queensland received more than 100mm throughout Thursday and Friday

The largest recording was 290mm, which fell on Wilsons Peak, 80km west of the Gold Coast.

– with Lauren Ferri