On Tuesday April 5, Mount Isa Water Board reported Lake Moondarra was at 49.5 per cent capacity, raising concerns about a failed wet season and water security.

Mount Isa Water Board Chief Executive Officer (Interim) Blake Nicolson said there was no reason to cause alarm, as Lake Julius provided a drought-proofing water supply for the city.

"Mount Isa residents don't need to be concerned about water security. Lake Julius is 70 km upstream from Mount Isa on the Leichhardt River and provides back-up supplies to our bulk water customers, including the Mount Isa City Council, who supplies drinking water to residential customers," Mr Nicolson said.

"Our water storages, as they currently stand, hold more than three years' supply. Residents can take comfort in knowing that Lake Julius provides us with strong water security. Lake Julius has over three times the catchment area of Lake Moondarra, so it captures much greater runoff during the wet season.

"During this latest wet season, Lake Julius completely filled and overflowed into the Leichardt River. Currently the level in Lake Julius remains at a healthy 95 per cent. The current capacity in Lake Julius is sufficient to support Mount Isa's needs during periods of drought, as it has been many times since its commissioning in 1978."

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Mr Nicolson said at this stage the water board did not need to pump water from Lake Julius for drought proofing reasons.

"That is something Mount Isa Water Board and our customers are continuing to monitor and plan for depending on rainfall before the next wet. Mount Isa Water Board and our bulk water customers have drought management practices in place to ensure that we are well prepared for any future droughts," he said.

"Water allocation holders, including the Mount Isa City Council, are responsible for instructing Mount Isa Water Board when and where to pump from to meet their needs. The decision to pump from Lake Julius involves a pretty detailed assessment and consultation by customers their stakeholders and from us, before any action is taken by the Mount Isa Water Board."

Mr Nicolson said it was an expensive exercise to pump water from Lake Julius.

"There are extra costs associated because of the energy needed to pump across the longer distance and uphill terrain between Lake Julius and Lake Moondarra, as well as the labour costs associated with maintaining the infrastructure," he said.

"The extra costs depend on the volume of water to pump and are directly passed onto our bulk water customers. Charges and costs for residents are calculated by the Mount Isa City Council as the retailer to residential customers."

Mount Isa Water Board advised they would pump from Lake Julius to Lake Moondarra this month to manage water allocations.

"Throughout the year, the Mount Isa Water Board undertakes short term pumping campaigns from Lake Julius to manage water allocations for our customers and to maintain high levels of water quality in Clear Water Lagoon," Mr Nicolson said.

"Lake Julius is oftentimes a higher quality water source than Lake Moondarra, given less pastoral and cattle activity around the catchment, as well as less human activity.

"In April the Mount Isa Water Board is undertaking a short-term pumping campaign from Lake Julius for one of our bulk water customers to assist with meeting their water allocation requirements."

Mr Nicolson said residents used about 17 per cent less water during the winter months, however Mount Isa City Council were in charge of imposing water restrictions if needed.

"Mount Isa City Council is the provider of water to households and is responsible for any water management or conservation practices with residents," he said.

"Mount Isa Water Board works proactively with our bulk water customers to assist them with forecasting demand and capacity."

Mount Isa City Council said Mount Isa was already on Stage two restrictions.

"Council would implement any further water restrictions based on advice from, and in co-ordination with, the Mount Isa Water Board," Council said.

"Council pays approximately $700,000 per year to Sunwater for an allocation of water from Lake Julius. This is utilised sparingly in most years, due to higher pumping costs. The Mount Isa Water Board makes decisions about pumping from Lake Julius to meet its demands. Council is only a part of the total overall demand.

"The cost of pumping is significant, so Lake Julius is only utilised when absolutely necessary. The cost of pumping is passed on to Council via water charges from the Mount Isa Water Board."

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