Uralla arsenic: no funding application to fix town water supply

In a formal brief to Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Uralla Shire Council has confirmed it will not purchase a new filtration system for the treatment plant.

Instead, it will seek to upgrade what it has with granular activated carbon to reduce arsenic levels.

Mr Marshall took a swing at the council, given residents have been forced to drink bottled water for nearly three months.

"It's just frustrating, there's a strong feeling in the community that they are frustrated it hasn't been fixed," he said.

"They feel there are mixed reports about the extent of the problem, what's being done and what can be done to resolve the problem.

"We'll have plenty of time to go through the entrails and read the tea leaves, but I want to get things fixed. I'm as frustrated as anyone."

Tests revealed arsenic in the town water supply had been as high as 12 times the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

The council's general manager David Aber said he wanted to make it clear all possible solutions were being exhausted to fix the toxic water.

"The treatment process needs to be able to treat the various arsenic speciations, both organic and inorganic," he said.

"The process implemented must be confirmed by laboratory testing.

"Once we have an effective solution the funding application will be lodged with the minister."

Mr Marshall said once the council makes an application he will push it through as quickly as possible with water minister Melinda Pavey.

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Recent rainfall has provided some relief. It it has filled the town's water supply at Kentucky Creek Dam to 100 per cent capacity.

The 'do not drink' alert remains until tests consistently show arsenic levels below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines of 0.01 milligrams per litre.

Level 5 water restrictions remain in place.

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