Cyclone Causes Dirty Water and $150 Million Cleanup
The amount of big landslides that landed into our water system has changed its chemical composition. The water is no longer the same as it used to be, causing a significant problem as both filtration plants are no longer fit for purpose.
State and federal specialists are working on short and long-term solutions and how they could be funded. The figure given to get our water back to a perfect solution is around the $150 million mark.
Since Jasper hit, the shire’s water treatment plants’ filters block more quickly, especially when it rains, exacerbating the issue in the rainy Douglas Shire region.
There are about two days’ worth of water supply in the reservoirs at Port Douglas and Wonga. Extended delays in fixing a filter led to shortages. When the rain falls, the water speed intensifies, stirring up debris in the water and making it difficult for the plant to process it.
The whole package of replacing filtration systems and adding backup tanks to ensure sustainable water will take a couple of years. Solving the issue of landlines is also complex as engineers suggest the need for support poles and exploring wet tropic areas which could pose problems.
The risk posed by a Thornton Range landslide is being assessed, with the road not expected to be available for tourist access for another six months as the wet season begins.
