With plenty of rain in the Katherine region, Power and Water has been monitoring the river carefully.
Visibly, it appears quite muddy and the water level has increased considerably over the past few weeks, since mid-December.
Peaking at 9.94 m on 31 December 2020, to date this is the highest the river level has been since the 2017/18 wet season.
Power and Water’s Senior Manager, Service Delivery Water Services, Eric Boyle says the risk to the river water supply has now passed.
“As we anticipated, the turbidity level at the Donkey Camp inlet has increased, however with good water flow being maintained, we have been able to continue to treat the river water,” Mr Boyle said.
“Thanks to all the rain, water demand in Katherine has reduced significantly, which means there has been plenty of treated water stored in the tanks to ensure continuity of supply to Katherine.”
On a couple of occasions the treatment plant was stopped briefly to allow the more highly turbid (muddy) water to pass. These events were minimal and for a very short period of time, thanks to continuing rainfall and constant water flow in the river.
“We would once again like to thank the Katherine community for their support and understanding over the past few months of uncertainty around the run-off event and potential emergency water supply situation.
“With continuing rain forecast over the wet season, we are confident the situation has now passed and we can continue to supply safe treated water to the Katherine community.”
Work on the new PFAS treatment plant is continuing and scheduled for completion later this year.
Major maintenance work can now also commence on one of the main water tanks. With water use significantly down as expected at this time of the year, the 9ML storage tank can be taken offline. The ground level tank, located at the Morris Road Water Treatment Plant, will have the roof replaced as part of our ongoing maintenance program. An alternative tank will be used during these works. The 9ML tank will come back online in April.
Power and Water’s emergency management plans remain in place for the duration of the storm and cyclone season should there be any unforeseen emergency situation occur.
More information about Katherine’s water supply is available at: https://www.powerwater.com.au/about/what-we-do/water-supply/katherine-water-supply
Find out how to prepare for the wet season: https://www.powerwater.com.au/customers/safety-and-emergencies/safety
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Contact: Media unit
Phone: 0401 117 599
