It is unjust to criticise the Water Board as you and your Reporters have on a completely unfounded basis - and in the process create public hysteria.

And to publically interrogate (in your paper) the new CEO of the Water Board as if you were a Prosecution Barrister in a Court Room is quite unprofessional and disturbing, and has all the merits of a bar room argument.

Given that there may be some problems with our water, you need to be supporting the Water Board, NOT accusing them of indolence and inefficiency.

The treatment of our water is scientifically complex being a mix of turbidity from recent rain and some admixture of mine waste over the years, and also has logistical problems with the draw by the Mine and the overuse by some selfish people.

Yes, please report – that is your job; but do your reporting in the best Public interest and without “Headlining“ to increase circulation.

The Freedom of the Press might protect you from most legal prosecutions, but believe this, if you had publicly listed those questions to the CEO to a private person or Company, you could be half a notch off a Libel suit – Lawsuits have been brought against Newspapers for personal discrimination , Murdoch’s News World being the current classic example.

And also remember this, despite the modern trend of Fly-In/Fly-Out, we still have permanent Mount Isa Residents who care for our city.

Algae has always been in our water, and in my 50 years personal experience here, has NEVER caused myself any health problems apart from mild gastric, assuming it was the water.

The old ‘bushies’ either filter their water domestically, or boil it

We don’t expect pure water on tap as some of our newer, temporary people may do – they can always buy bottled water.

Do your research, talk to the right People, and be publically responsible.

I think it is quite disturbing that the CEO of the Water Board felt the need to go on Facebook.

This was (obviously) to gauge true Public response.

But, in my opinion, may also have been allied to a vote of no confidence in the local media.

QUESTION: DID YOUR PAPER CALL FOR A PUBLIC SURVEY?

Normally, one would submit a letter to the Editor but in view of your recent reporting, I find it difficult to trust your editorial processes.

The other thought which you should, hopefully, find sobering is that the Mount Isa Water is NOT A PRIVATE COMPANY but is a regulated Queensland Government Authority under the Water Act 2000.

Therefore, taken further, any undue or ill-informed criticism of the local Water Board is a direct criticism of our Queensland Government.

It would be prudent NOT to enter uncharted territory

I would hesitate to draw my comments above to the attention of our new Premier

I should sincerely trust that there is NO BIAS in your reporting, and that it has, unfortunately, been the product of insufficient research and consultation.

The Players in this ‘Water Game’ - Water Board, Council and the Mine; have their individual and collective responsibilities – let them get on with it. 

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