Australian Drinking Water Map

Woorabinda water supply restored after 11-month boil alert

by Joseph Guenzler National Indigenous Times

https://nit.com.au/29-01-2026/22385/woorabinda-water-supply-restored-after-11-month-boil-alert

Woorabinda residents can now safely drink tap water again, following the completion of urgent repairs to the town’s water treatment plant and the lifting of an 11-month boil water alert.

The $36 million First Nations water security project, jointly funded by the federal and Queensland governments and delivered with Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council, has restored clean water access for the central Queensland community.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, said the immediate upgrades were critical.

“No community should have to worry about whether their drinking water is safe. Being able to turn on the tap again and trust the water is safe will make a real difference for families in Woorabinda,” she said.

“This is a really important step that shows what’s possible when governments work closely with community. The immediate repairs were critical and now the focus is on making sure Woorabinda has secure water well into the future.”

These upgrades allow the council to monitor water quality and adjust treatment in response to changes in raw water conditions.

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said reliable water access was essential.

“Everyone deserves access to clean and reliable water, regardless of who they are, or where they live,” Minister Watt said.

“Better water means better health and better life outcomes for people and that’s why projects like this are a critical investment for rural and remote communities across Australia.”

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said the outcome was overdue.

“This is a fantastic outcome that will greatly improve the quality of life for Woorabinda residents, who should not have had to worry about whether their water is safe for their families to drink,” Minister Simpson said.

“I visited the community last year and heard first-hand their desperation for quick action from multiple levels of government.”

Queensland Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said planning had already started on long-term improvements.

“Access to clean, reliable drinking water is a high priority for the Crisafulli Government, and we are committed to securing Woorabinda’s water supply well into the future,” Minister Leahy said.

“This is a significant milestone for the Woorabinda community, with the Boil Water Advisory lifted at last. These urgent repairs restored access to safe drinking water in the short term.”

Woorabinda Mayor Terence Munns welcomed the progress.

“The lifting of the Boil Water Advisory is a huge relief for our community, and we’re grateful for the urgent repairs that have made this possible,” Mayor Munns said.

“We will continue to work closely with our government partners to secure a safe and reliable water supply for our community into the future.”

2016/18 – Woorabinda – (Queensland) – E.coli

1/2/17: Woorabinda E.coli detected 1 MPN/100mL

2016/17: Woorabinda Water Reservoir 1 MPN/100mL.

Jan 2018: Woorabinda Reservoir Shed Tap. 1 sample non-compliant for E.coli

“Coliforms are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria that are capable of aerobic and facultative anaerobic growth in the presence of bile salts or other surface active agents with similar growth-inhibiting properties. They are found in large numbers in the faeces of humans and other warm-blooded animals, but many species also occur in the environment.

Thermotolerant coliforms are a sub-group of coliforms that are able to grow at 44.5 ± 0.2°C. E. coli is the most common thermotolerant coliform present in faeces and is regarded as the most specific indicator of recent faecal contamination because generally it is not capable of growth in the environment. In contrast, some other thermotolerant coliforms (including strains of Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Enterobacter) are able to grow in the environment and their presence is not necessarily related to faecal contamination. While tests for thermotolerant coliforms can be simpler than for E. coli, E. coli is considered a superior indicator for detecting faecal contamination…” ADWG 2011

2016/18 + 2025/26 – Woorabinda (Queensland) – 11 Month Boil Alert E.coli

in , ,

Woorabinda water supply restored after 11-month boil alert

by Joseph Guenzler National Indigenous Times

https://nit.com.au/29-01-2026/22385/woorabinda-water-supply-restored-after-11-month-boil-alert

Woorabinda residents can now safely drink tap water again, following the completion of urgent repairs to the town’s water treatment plant and the lifting of an 11-month boil water alert.

The $36 million First Nations water security project, jointly funded by the federal and Queensland governments and delivered with Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council, has restored clean water access for the central Queensland community.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, said the immediate upgrades were critical.

“No community should have to worry about whether their drinking water is safe. Being able to turn on the tap again and trust the water is safe will make a real difference for families in Woorabinda,” she said.

“This is a really important step that shows what’s possible when governments work closely with community. The immediate repairs were critical and now the focus is on making sure Woorabinda has secure water well into the future.”

These upgrades allow the council to monitor water quality and adjust treatment in response to changes in raw water conditions.

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said reliable water access was essential.

“Everyone deserves access to clean and reliable water, regardless of who they are, or where they live,” Minister Watt said.

“Better water means better health and better life outcomes for people and that’s why projects like this are a critical investment for rural and remote communities across Australia.”

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said the outcome was overdue.

“This is a fantastic outcome that will greatly improve the quality of life for Woorabinda residents, who should not have had to worry about whether their water is safe for their families to drink,” Minister Simpson said.

“I visited the community last year and heard first-hand their desperation for quick action from multiple levels of government.”

Queensland Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said planning had already started on long-term improvements.

“Access to clean, reliable drinking water is a high priority for the Crisafulli Government, and we are committed to securing Woorabinda’s water supply well into the future,” Minister Leahy said.

“This is a significant milestone for the Woorabinda community, with the Boil Water Advisory lifted at last. These urgent repairs restored access to safe drinking water in the short term.”

Woorabinda Mayor Terence Munns welcomed the progress.

“The lifting of the Boil Water Advisory is a huge relief for our community, and we’re grateful for the urgent repairs that have made this possible,” Mayor Munns said.

“We will continue to work closely with our government partners to secure a safe and reliable water supply for our community into the future.”

2016/18 – Woorabinda – (Queensland) – E.coli

1/2/17: Woorabinda E.coli detected 1 MPN/100mL

2016/17: Woorabinda Water Reservoir 1 MPN/100mL.

Jan 2018: Woorabinda Reservoir Shed Tap. 1 sample non-compliant for E.coli

“Coliforms are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria that are capable of aerobic and facultative anaerobic growth in the presence of bile salts or other surface active agents with similar growth-inhibiting properties. They are found in large numbers in the faeces of humans and other warm-blooded animals, but many species also occur in the environment.

Thermotolerant coliforms are a sub-group of coliforms that are able to grow at 44.5 ± 0.2°C. E. coli is the most common thermotolerant coliform present in faeces and is regarded as the most specific indicator of recent faecal contamination because generally it is not capable of growth in the environment. In contrast, some other thermotolerant coliforms (including strains of Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Enterobacter) are able to grow in the environment and their presence is not necessarily related to faecal contamination. While tests for thermotolerant coliforms can be simpler than for E. coli, E. coli is considered a superior indicator for detecting faecal contamination…” ADWG 2011