Some residents of Harden have complained to the Hilltops Council about the quality and colour of water they are receiving out of their taps. One resident said she didn’t know what to expect when she turned on her tap, “Will it be tea or pee?”
Enough is enough’ Our water or what ‘passes’ for it is very much below par and like something you might expect to experience in a third world country. It appears to be affecting the majority of streets in Harden and Murrumburrah and it has been happening for quite some time. Numerous reports have been made to the Hilltops Shire Council with little or no result until now. One resident said that she didn’t know what to expect when she turned the tap on. “Will it be tea or pee?”
Residents talked about not being able to wash their clothes for fear of them turning into a completely different colour. Others talked about running a bath for a grand child, only to find the water was so dirty and containing sediment which sank to the bottom, it was decided the child could do without bathing until they went home to a neighbouring town. When the bath was let out a nasty ring remained around the tub. At times the water has an unpleasant odour. Just what might we be drinking? One resident spoke of putting water into a dog bowl to find it had turned green only a day or so later.
Some desperate residents have chosen to buy bottled water to drink as they fear damage to their health. A case of Giarda has been diagnosed in Harden which is a waterborne disease which can cause diarrhoea, gas, greasy stools, abdominal cramps, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting. It is caused when a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea illness. It is found in soil, food or water that has been contaminated with infected faeces from humans or animals. Water is the most common form of transmission.The person in question has had recurring bouts of this illness. Residents have also reported having to replace hot water systems, washing machines and repair air conditioners because of damage caused by the water and the sediment in it.
Hilltops Council will be commencing water main upgrade works in Harden Murrumburrah in early September 2016, to replace sections of ageing water main. “Council is aware of several areas where discoloration of water has occurred which is a consequence of ageing cast iron water mains” said Council’s General Manager Anthony McMahon. The cast iron pipes will be replaced by UPVC pipes which have been ordered in preparation for the works. “Council is aware of the importance of maintaining a reliable, quality water supply and the main replacements works to be undertaken will improve the reliability of water quality,” said Mr. McMahon.
The streets targeted for the first stage of the works are as follows; Stair Street between Clarke Street to Allsop Streets. Allsop Street between Clarke to North Street. North Street between Allsop to Ward Streets. Residents in the affected water mains work zones will be advised of supply interruptions by letter drop and future media releases. In the interim, Council requests that consumers who may encounter dirty water notify Council immediately to allow prompt rectification action to be taken.
The Council have stated that the pipes to be replaced are cast iron. Much of Harden’s water mains piping is either cast iron or asbestos based pipes. National water consumers will face a hefty estimated charge of $8 billion to safely remove asbestos piping being used in Australia, according to the nation’s peak water industry body. Thousands of kilometres of water pipelines contain asbestos cement. There is no evidence the pipes can cause cancer by drinking water from them. About 40,000 kilometres of water pipelines contain asbestos cement that is starting to wear out, the body said. It is not widely realised that many of Australia’s water pipes were made by Australia’s biggest asbestos manufacturer, James Hardie.
