The discussion to invest in the city’s own water supply came after high levels of blue-green algae was found in Clear Water Lagoon and it’s ecosystem had collapsed. 

Mount Isa Water Board CEO Stephen Farrelly said the new plant will insure water quality in a way that has never been assured in Isa before. 

“Despite various rumors that circulate around Mount Isa and various things people say about the water,” he said. 

“It is now at the highest quality that Mount Isa has ever had and it is absolutely assured to be safe to drink.

“If it hadn’t been for the controversy we perhaps wouldn’t have even got it approved. It would have been a little too innovative for our water supply regulator. But the truth is in terms of cost effective water supply this plant that we now have here in combination with that still important Clear Water Lagoon, provides Mount Isa with a cheap and cost effective water treatment process.” 

Member for Kallangur and Chair of Utilities, Science and Invitation Committee MP Shane King officially opened the Plant on behalf of Minister Mark Bailey. 

“The changes to the lease agreement should save the Mount Isa City Council $1.1 million a year,” Mr King said. “Last wet season this plant, when it was under lease, proved its worth in addressing the key water quality factors (such as) blue-green algae and turbidity.”

Deputy mayor Brett Peterson said the five units have replaced the 30 year old Clear Water Lagoon natural filtration plant that the city had relied on through very hard times. 

“In regards to Blue-green Algae and the impact it actually had on the water, it was time that we actually did something mechanical,” he said. “We are one of the only couple of towns left in Queensland who didn’t actually have a mechanical filtration process and we have that today.”