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Updated: Tuesday, June 29
Charbon residents will be required to boil water from town water supplies from 7am, tomorrow Wednesday, 30 June.
Clandulla remains on a boil water alert as Council works to repair water main breaks that drained Clandulla Reservoir.
As part of these works, Charbon's water supply must be isolated from the Kandos supply where it is normally drawn from and will be temporarily connected to the Clandulla supply.
As Clandulla is currently on a Boil Water Alert, the same alert will apply to Charbon residents from 7am, tomorrow Wednesday, 30 June.
Charbon and Clandulla residents must boil town water until further notice from Council.
Once reticulated supply is re-established, Council will send water samples to a Sydney based NATA Accredited Laboratory for analysis.
The boil water alert will remain in place until water quality testing confirms water is safe to drink, which could take a few days.
Water used for drinking or food preparation must be brought to a rolling boil to make it safe. Kettles with automatic shut off switches can do this. Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated.
Bottled water or cool boiled water should be used for drinking, washing uncooked food (eg salad vegetables and fruit), making ice, cleaning teeth, gargling and pet drinking water. Dishes should be washed in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher. Children should take bottled water or cool boiled water to school.
If you cannot boil the water, unscented household bleach (containing 4% - 5% available chlorine) may be used. Add 2 drops of bleach to 1 litre of water (or 4 drops if the water is cloudy), mix well, and allow to stand for 30 minutes before use.
FAQs
Why has a Boil Water Alert been issued in consultation with NSW Health?
Recent water main breaks have resulted in the draining of Clandulla Reservoir which has resulted in unknown water quality in the Clandulla reticulation system. Council is undertaking sampling to establish if the water supply quality has been compromised. The samples are sent to a Sydney based NATA Accredited Laboratory for analysis. It will take a few days for Council to receive the results and therefore the boil water alert is in place, until such time as results are received that confirm that the water quality is safe to drink
Is it safe for my family to drink the water? Am I going to get sick if I drink the tap water without boiling it?
Consumption of the water is not necessarily a health hazard but may constitute a health risk if the water harbour pathogenic micro-organisms. To manage this risk, Council chlorinates the water as per normal treatment practice in order to achieve what is called a "chlorine residual" in the water. This remaining chlorine makes it difficult for any pathogenic micro- organisms to survive in the water. However, at this time we recommend you use boiled water until further notice, just in case.
How long will the boil alert likely be in place?
The Boil Water Alert (BWA) is likely to be in place for a few days and could be longer depending on how quickly results are received to confirm the water quality is safe to drink.
Is it safe to bath/shower using my water?
Yes, it is safe to bath yourself and your children, shower and wash clothes. However, dishes should be washed in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.
If I have a filter on my tap, will my water still be affected?
Even if you have a filter on your water supply, we recommend all water coming from the tap be boiled prior to consumption, food preparation, cleaning teeth and ice-making until further notice, in line with NSW Health advice based on the current elevated water turbidity.
What if I am frail or unwell?
If you are frail or unwell, immuno-compromised, have very young children or are pregnant, you should consider taking additional precautions. For more information please visit NSW Health.
How is Council testing the quality of the water?
Our staff regularly monitor and sample water throughout the water supply system. During a boil water alert this sampling and monitoring is increased. Analysis of samples is undertaken at an independent certified water testing laboratory. Turbidity and chlorine residual monitoring results will be the key to lifting the boil water notice.
Will council flush the water mains?
Council is monitoring levels of turbidity and the effectiveness of disinfection in the town reticulation systems and will be flushing water mains on an as needs basis as part of the process.
Who has Council notified about the boil water notice?
We have directly notified residents of Clandulla, through delivery of notice to residents at their home. If they are not home, a notice will be left at the household.
How will I know when the water is safe to drink?
The boil water alert will remain in place until water quality improves. The community will be notified again via notice to residents and social media, when this occurs. We encourage residents to go to NSW Health website for more information on boil water notices.
For more information on Boil Water Alerts, please visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/drinking-water.aspx