THE CHEMICAL contaminant PFAS has been found for the fifth time in North Queensland.
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances were found in a bore connected to the Lower Herbert water supply in the Hinchinbrook region, the council announced today.
A spokesman for Hinchinbrook Shire Council said the contaminated bore was isolated immediately and would remain switched off until further notice.
Mayor Ramon Jayo assured residents the water was still safe to drink.
‘There is no disruption to the town water supply as a result of the affected bore remaining switched off and council will continue to update residents as more information comes to hand,’ he said.
In a statement the council said the bore was one of four in the Macknade Township.
This supplies water to the Macknade Water Treatment Plant which distributes water to the Lower Herbert region.
Lucinda, Macknade, Halifax, Cordelia, Taylors Beach and Bemerside all receive water from the Macknade Water Treatment Plant and the Ingham Water Treatment Plants…
‘The Ingham, Forrest Beach and Halifax Reservoirs returned clear readings compliant with the national water standards and found no detection of PFAS,’ he said.
‘However the Lucinda Water Reservoir returned a small amount above the detection limits specified by Queensland Health.
‘Further testing was conducted to identify the source of the potential contamination and these results were received late (Monday) afternoon.’
Cr Jayo said the bore where PFAS was found was immediately removed from service and the council was undertaking further testing with Queensland Health and other government agencies.”
Read the full article by Chris Lees