Cairns Regional Council advises that consumers in the Bartle Frere Scheme (including Woopen Creek) should boil drinking water until further notice.
Increased rainfall is impacting on Council's ability to adequately treat water and storage levels have been depleted.
Customers should bring water to a boil by heating the water until a continuous and rapid stream of air-bubbles is produced from the bottom of a pan or kettle. Kettles with automatic cut-off switches are suitable. Variable temperature kettles should be set to boil.
After heating, water must be allowed to cool before using it, and be stored in a clean, closed container for later use. Care should be taken to avoid scalding injuries.
Customers should boil all water used for:
- Drinking
- Brushing teeth
- Washing and preparing food or beverages
- Preparing baby formula
- Making ice
Unboiled water can be used for:
- Showering and bathing (avoid swallowing water). As a precaution babies and toddlers should be sponge bathed to prevent them swallowing water
- Washing dishes by hand or in a dishwasher, providing dishes are air-dried before being used after washing
- Washing clothes
To check if you are in the affected area and need to boil your water during this period, please visit CRC Online Mapping™ .
Please note: This is a map of water supply schemes, not a map of drinking water services. Cairns Regional Council apologises for any inconvenience and will provide updates as they become available.
