McKinlay Shire Council advises all residents of McKinlay to boil tap water used for drinking following a positive low level reading of E Coli affecting the township.
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This alert applies to all residents in the township of McKinlay from September 10 until further notice.
McKinlay Shire Council says it is working closely with Queensland Health to resolve the situation.
"McKinlay Shire Council is working at identifying and rectifying this issue as soon as possible and apologise for the inconvenience," Council said.
"Council are currently undertaking chlorination, flushing and re-sampling of the system. This whole process may take approximately 2 weeks.
"The boil water alert will stay in effect until McKinlay Shire Council and Queensland Health are confident there is no longer a public health concern".
Consuming unboiled drinking water could lead to illness, especially for vulnerable people (e.g. those who are very young, elderly or those with weak immune systems).
If you believe the water has made you sick, contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), your local doctor or local hospital and advise them of your concerns.
People should use cooled boiled water or bottled water for: drinking, brushing teeth, preparing and cooking foods, washing raw foods such as fruit and vegetables, preparing beverages and making ice, preparing baby formula, sponge-bathing infants.
Unboiled drinking water can be used for: showering and bathing other than infants (avoid getting water in the mouth), washing dishes by hand or in a dishwasher, washing clothes, flushing toilets.
People should bring drinking water to a rolling boil and then allow water to cool before using it or storing it in a clean, closed container for later use.
Kettles with automatic cut-off switches are suitable for producing boiled water.
Variable temperature kettles should be set to boil. Residents are urged to share this alert with neighbours and friends.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
