Rodney Stevens
Providing the village of Glenreagh clean drinking water has cost Clarence Valley Council $280,000 after councillors voted to adopt a budget variation to lease a filtration plant.
A boil water alter was issued to residents around Glenreagh by Clarence Valley Council CVC on October 11, when council began drawing water from Shannon Creek Dam as flows in the Nymboida River were too low, which saw turbidity (suspended solids) in the water exceeding permitted limits.
Council immediately implemented steps to lease a new filtration plant before a new one could be purchased, and a leased filtration plant that was installed in late November came into operation just before Christmas.
Residents of Glenreagh were told by council on December 21 their water supply was safe to drink.
“Our crews have flushed the water mains in the area to reintroduce safe, clean water to the local water supply system,” council advised residents.
Glenreagh locals were advised by council to flush water from their pipes by running taps for two to three minutes, including the tap with most distance to their water meter.
At the December council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to note a budget variation of $145,454.54 to fund the hire of the filtration plant.
“The hired equipment is required to provide a drinking water supply that meets Council’s Drinking Water Management System until the permanent Water Treatment Plant can be constructed,” council’s agenda stated.
In addition, the agenda stated “an annual operations and maintenance budget variation of $109,090.90 (excl GST) is also required for the remainder of the 23/24 FY.”
“The new hired filtration system will include chemical dosing to allow coagulation of the fine particles, a clarifier tank, glass filtration media and pressure booster pumps,” council’s agenda stated.
“The new hired filtration system is automated and remotely monitored.
“The hired equipment provides a greater level of water treatment including the removal of solids known as filter backwash, the backwash material must be disposed of to sewer and as Glenreagh is an unsewered village the backwash material will need to be transported to the Clarenza STP.”
At the December CVC meeting Cr Karen Toms moved a motion that was seconded by Cr Bill Day that:
- Council note a budget variation to financial project PJ 902055 (Water Treatment Plant Operation Expenses) of $280,000 (including GST) is to be funded from the Water Fund Reserve for the hire, operation, and maintenance of Water Filtration equipment for the Glenreagh Village
- The variation be reflected in the Q2 Quarterly Budget Review Statement (QBRS).
The motion was unanimously supported by councillors.