A precautionary boil water alert for parts of Singleton has been lifted after NSW Health gave the all clear at a meeting with Singleton Council this morning.

The boil water alert was issued for the Glade, Gowrie, Maison Dieu and Hambledon Hill on Monday 10 February, and extended to McDougalls Hill on Tuesday 11 February following water sampling results received late Monday 10 February that showed turbidity above and chlorine levels below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

Investigations into the cause of test results indicated that dirt entered the water network during heavy rainfall across 8-9 February.

Council staff worked across the weekend with testing showing that turbidity and chlorine levels had returned to normal.

Katie Hardy, Council’s Manager Water and Sewer Network, said Council staff would doorknock residents with information the boil water alert had been lifted, as well as contact businesses. Customers who collected free bottled water will also be emailed.

Information will be available on Council’s website and Facebook page as well as on the variable message board on Maison Dieu Road.

Customers in the affected areas of The Glade, Gowrie, Maison Dieu and Hambledon Hill and McDougalls Hill are advised to flush their pipework by running their back outdoor tap for 10 minutes before resuming normal use. Flushing of pipework in properties affected by the boil water alert is exempt from water restrictions.

The standpipe at Maison Dieu will be recommissioned for normal use and has been flushed by Council Officers.

“Council teams have been hard at work since the boil water alert was issued to drain and clean the reservoirs and scour pipework within the affected area,” Ms Hardy said.

“Since the reservoirs were flushed last Thursday and Friday, we’ve been undertaking regular testing across the weekend that showed the water was back to safe levels with no microbial contamination detected.

“On the advice of NSW Health, the boil water alert has now been lifted.

“We advise customers to flush their system by running their external tap for 10 minutes, which will be exempt from water restrictions, before drinking the water.”

Ms Hardy said Council was aware of the concern in the community as a result of the boil water alert, and thousands of bottles of water were distributed to affected residents in response to the situation.

“Council appreciates this situation caused some inconvenience for our customers last week, and we thank you for your patience and understanding,” she said.