Tweed Shire Council, Media Release, 1 March 2022

Council is urging everyone in the Tweed to reduce their water use, with temporary Level 4 restrictions introduced yesterday limiting the use of water outdoors. 

Until further notice, Tweed residents can only use water outdoors to address safety or health issues – not to clean up mud and other flood debris.

Manager Water and Wastewater Operations Brie Jowett said the extreme weather had washed soil and debris into creeks and rivers that flow into Council’s water treatment plants and caused power outages at the plants and several water pump stations.

“Our water treatment plants at Uki, Bray Park and Tyalgum are currently offline and we are working around the clock to get them working again,” Ms Jowett said.

“I realise it seems strange having water restrictions right now, but the Tweed is now relying on water stored in our tanks and reservoirs.

“Please limit your water use to drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene. At the moment, do not use water to remove mud or other flood debris.

“These restrictions will lift when our plants are back online.”

Council has been tankering water into Uki but flooding and no road access is preventing deliveries.

“A local staff member reached the Uki reservoir this morning and it only has 1 metre of water left in it,” Ms Jowett said.

“We have concerns the village will run out of water.

“Everyone in Uki, please use town water only for essentials and make sure you boil town or rain water before using it to drink, prepare food, clean your teeth and gargle.

“Also, please use boiled water for your pets’ drinking water.”

Last night, Council issued a boil water alert for Uki, South Murwillumbah south of Alma Street and parts of Dunbible.

The extreme weather has caused problems with the water supply network, making town water potentially unsafe to consume in those locations.

“The water supply remains safe to drink in other areas of the Tweed including Tyalgum,” Ms Jowett added.