** Attention Biloela Residents **

Banana Shire Council is aware of reports regarding discoloured water in various parts of the area. Some residents have reported seeing a yellow-brown tint in the water, and some have also noted and unpleasant odour. Council has conducted water testing can confirm that the discolouration is caused by the presence of manganese.

To improve the quality of the water, Council is flushing water mains in the affected areas. It is anticipated that flushing the mains combined with normal use will see the issue resolved within the next 24 hours. It is recommended that any taps that are not used regularly be run for a minute or two before using to help clear the discoloured water.

It is important to note that despite the discoloration, the safety of the drinking water has not been compromised. Council will continue to monitor the situation and perform routine testing to ensure the ongoing safety of the water supply.

Council regularly checks the amount of manganese in the drinking water and our goal is to keep the level of manganese even lower that what the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Council recommends. At present, the level of manganese in the water is below what is considered to be a safe amount.

Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in many water sources around the world, including rivers, dams and bores. At low levels, it is not noticeable, but as levels increase, it can cause the water to take on a brownish-orange colour and in high amounts it can even appear black.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue. If you have any further questions about this issue, please call Customer Service on 4992 9500.