Defence to top up water supply for only one more year after arrangement ends for Katherine residents reliant on rainwater

DEFENCE will only provide water to people who have had their bore water supply contaminated by PFAS for one more year.

The PFAS Treatment Plant under construction in Katherine. Picture: Supplied

DEFENCE will only provide water to Katherine residents who have had their bore water supply contaminated by PFAS for one more year past the initial agreement.

Connie Bright, who lives in the red zone on Collins Rd, relied on her bore for potable water, but after testing revealed the water was contaminated with PFAS, she and her family have relied on rainwater captured in tanks provided by Defence. Her property has no access to the town’s water supply.

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In October, she received a letter from Defence explaining they would no longer top up the tanks come 2022.

It means Ms Bright, her husband and mother in law – all of whom are pensioners – will have to pay for town water to fill up their tanks.

“We might have to come up with $5000-$10,000 to fill up our tanks,” she said.

“It will just create another burden on top of the burdens we carry already.

“We can’t drink our own water from the bores, and we expected clean freshwater and an unlimited supply, and because they have advised us not to drink the water we shouldn’t have to pay for water, at least while we own the blocks.”

Connie Bright's water tank, pictured, has had to be refilled each dry season by defence as the wet hasn't filled them up. Picture: Supplied

A Defence spokeswoman said 96 rainwater tanks had been installed at 68 properties as of September 7.

“As part of this commitment, Defence agreed to top up rainwater tanks (as necessary) for … three years, followed by a review at the end of the three-year period,” the spokeswoman said.

“Defence has reviewed this arrangement and has determined that it will continue to provide rainwater tank top-ups (as necessary) for an additional year.”

Dr PJ Spafford, who has been vocal about the dangers of PFAS, said residents were angry about the decision.

“I am very concerned the PFAS issue is not over yet in Katherine,” he said.

“This is a lifelong legacy that we’ve been left with in this town, and bad legacy.”

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A Power and Water spokeswoman said work was still under way to construct a dedicated PFAS water treatment plant in the town.

“In November, the specialised storage tanks will arrive from the US and will be installed by local Indigenous company Yingwati,” she said.

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