Toowoomba Regional Council, Media Release, 29 July 2021

The Clifton community is at the receiving end of some positive news with recent quality testing of the town’s Great Artesian Basin (GAB) bore returning good results.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) completed a 100 hour pump test of the GAB bore in June as part of securing a reliable water source for the town.

TRC Water and Waste Committee Chair Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff said the results show that with minimal treatment the GAB water will be potable.

“These results mean we are one step closer to a drinking water source for Clifton after many months of carting water,” Cr Vonhoff said.

“Council tested the GAB bore’s water quality as well as the volume of water.

“There is not as much water as we hoped but we estimate the GAB will supply about 80 per cent of Clifton’s town water. Some of the town’s existing shallow bores will be able to make up the 20 per cent shortfall.”

TRC committed $800,000 this financial year to progress a containerised water treatment plant to mix and treat water from Clifton’s GAB and shallower bores.

“The planning and design phase of a new water treatment plant for Clifton is well underway with funding currently allocated for the purchase of equipment, building water storage tanks and connection pipes,” Cr Vonhoff said.

“Council has been investigating medium and long-term water supply options for Clifton and other drought impacted towns located in the Region’s south which are not connected to the Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply.

“We want to make sure the Region’s rural residents are able to turn on the tap and have the same water quality and security as someone who turns on the tap in Toowoomba.”