MOUNT Isa will have access to water through Lake Julius until the 2014-15 wet season, according to the Mount Isa Water Board’s financial report. Board chairwoman Rowena McNally warned in the report there would be “significantly higher pumping and operational costs” through pumping from Lake Julius.
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The costs could be passed on to Mount Isa ratepayers through one of the board’s three customers, Mount Isa City Council. The water board has made a $370,000 profit after tax in the past financial year.
Although there had been public speculation the board would make little profit, the precise amount was not released until the 2013-14 financial report was brought to the State Parliament recently.
The profit is almost $5 million less compared with the profits made in the 2012-13 financial year, which is about the same amount as the increase in operating expenses.
Ms McNally said the reporting period began with lower than usual water storages.
“This, combined with the failure of the local wet season, has resulted in historically low combined storage levels ... with the effects clearly visible at Lake Moondarra,” she said.
The “unprecedented” blue–green algae blooms in Lake Julius, Lake Moondarra and Clear Water Lagoon meant the board needed to establish emergency filtration plants, because of the poor water quality, Ms McNally said.
The chairwoman said the board quickly responded to water quality issues, and this reflected ‘‘the high levels of professionalism and competence of MIWB’s staff”.
The report said more than 10,000 water quality tests were completed in the past financial year to comply with Australian drinking water guidelines.
Outgoing chief executive of the Mount Isa Water Board Greg Stevens said the board would need to review water use and consider further restrictions.
But residential and industrial customers improved their water savings throughout the year, Mr Stevens said.