UPDATE: Mullumbimby will source its drinking water from the Rous County Council mains supply for at least the next year due to urgent concerns about the town’s ageing water treatment plant. This critical decision follows a vote by the Byron Shire Council’s Water & Sewer Advisory Committee to extend a planned shutdown of the Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant (WTP) indefinitely.
The shutdown, initially set to coincide with maintenance at the Lavertys Gap weir, will now continue until at least October 2024, potentially much longer. The decision arises from alarming findings about the WTP’s inability to consistently provide safe drinking water, posing a significant public health risk.
Recent reports reveal that the Mullumbimby WTP has failed to meet essential decontamination standards required by NSW Health and the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Specifically, the plant’s performance in achieving required turbidity levels has been deemed inadequate, leading experts to recommend a switch to the emergency Rous connection during ongoing repairs.
Authorities confirm that significant upgrades are necessary for the WTP before it can reliably produce high-quality drinking water. The external report noted, “Until such issues are addressed, the WTP cannot be considered compliant with current microbial safety standards.”
This urgent situation has prompted the council to allocate an additional $580,000 for further investigation into Mullumbimby’s long-term water supply, on top of previous expenditures that already totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars. The ongoing issues with the WTP have raised serious concerns about public health, as the quality of water provided has not consistently met safety standards.
As residents await resolution, the Rous supply—which includes water sourced from the Rocky Creek Dam, Emigrant Creek Dam, and the Wilsons River—will ensure continued access to safe drinking water. This supply serves not only Mullumbimby but also the surrounding areas of Ballina, Byron, Lismore, and Richmond Valley.
The council’s Water & Sewer Advisory Committee is expected to reconvene soon to assess the situation further and will communicate with Rous County Council and NSW Health to confirm ongoing measures.
As the community navigates this significant shift, the implications for daily life and public health are profound. Residents are advised to stay informed about updates from the council regarding the status of the water supply and any necessary precautions they may need to take while the WTP remains offline.
This situation is developing rapidly, and the council is committed to ensuring that Mullumbimby has access to safe drinking water while long-term solutions are explored.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
