The Mount Isa Water Board says it has performed well across its main areas of operation during the financial year "supplying safe and reliable water" though there were issues with its major capital works program.
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The Water Board released its annual report last month as discussions continue between local councils and state government over a possible regional water authority to replace it.
In the report's summary to water minister Glenn Butcher, MIWB chair Steve de Kruijff said the board's capacity to source key engineering equipment and specialist labour were affected by the pandemic and increased mining activity and MIWB invested $4.3 million in capital projects, below their $4.8 million planned investment.
These include new Clean Water Tanks which Mr de Kruijff said will aid in "protecting and enhancing the quality of drinking water".
However the report said the Clean Water Tanks project was not completed before the start of the financial year as scheduled and there were contractual disputes with principal contractor John Beever.
Leaks from the project works in construction of the tanks caused "elevated water losses" and the MIWB said the leak could not be repaired for an extended period because the tanks were commissioned at the beginning of the peak water demand period.
"Low dissolved oxygen levels were detected in the new clean water tanks during the summer. A permanent solution is under development," the report said.
"A disruption to pumped supply of water to industrial customers occurred during a power outage which impacted the whole of the North-West Queensland electricity grid, and exceeded the maximum outage period."
MIWB's Earnings Before Interest and Tax were $6.9 million, slightly down on the $7.2 million reported in the previous financial year and that will result in a dividend to the State Government of $4.9 million.
Planned projects in 2020-21 included key procurement elements for the Lake Moondarra Deepwell Pump Station pumps renewal; and the commencement of construction for the upgrade of chlorine dosing equipment, the electro-mechanical overhaul of Fred Haigh Pump Station and the Mount Isa City Council Supply diesel backup arrangements.
"While all of these major projects have commenced, they have experienced significant delays," the report said.
The report said Mount Isa received 425.2 mm rainfall 8 per cent below the historic average and Lake Moondarra peaked at only 78.3 per cent in February which is sufficient to supply demand for 12 months.
"Thankfully, Lake Julius, as is almost always the case, reached full capacity and secures Mount Isa's water supply for several years," the report said.
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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.
