Communities to benefit from improved water treatment

11 Oct 2010

Water treatment systems will be installed in three remote communities to improve the quality of drinking water.

Some ground water sources in Central Australia have naturally high levels of elements such as fluoride, nitrate and total dissolved solids, which affect the quality of the potable water supplied to the community.

Power and Water has been working with 15 affected communities to identify alternate sources or treatment options.

Ali Curung, Kintore and Yuelamu have been identified as priority communities for the introduction of treatment systems.

Yuelamu has a  limited drinking water supply from a local surface water source and treating the groundwater to Australian Drinking Water Quality standards will increase the security of supply. The quality of the potable water supply at Ali Curung and Kintore will be improved with these treatment systems.

General Manager Remote Operations Darryl Day said a reliable source of good quality water was vital to health.

“Improving the taste of the water encourages people to drink it, and it is the healthier option,” he said.

“In some communities where the groundwater is naturally hard it causes scale build-up on appliances.   We can take some measures to reduce that and extend the life of appliances and infrastructure.”

Power and Water is inviting a PhD candidate to join the project and measure the effect the improved water quality has on people's lives.

"We are seeking someone who wants to learn more about the central role of water in remote communities," Mr Day said.

"The project involves visiting remote communities so we are looking for someone passionate about water quality and keen to go off the beaten track."  For more information on the PhD project contact Amy Dysart in Power and Water's Remote Operations at amy.dysart@powerwater.com.au

The pre-qualification phase for supply of the three treatment plants starts October 2010, for more information visit the  Northern Territory Government tender portal.
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