Research by Ian Wright discovered that flood waters are a concern for drinking water supplies.
Wright analyzed part of south east Queensland, Australia and northern NSW, which are experiencing heavy rain falls, reported The Conversation.
Despite this, south eastern Queenslanders in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and the Lockyer Valley have been asked to conserve drinking water by SEQ. This ask was made after heavy rain impacted the Mt Crosby and North Pine Water Treatment Plants, which both went offline in the early hours of Feb. 27. Since then, North Pine has restarted and the Gold Coast Desalination plant is supplementing supply.
Cloudiness, otherwise known as turbidity, in water causes major problems for drinking water, impacting the treatment of clean drinking water and thus minimizing the impacts of water disinfection, according to Wright.
Flood waters are now at a velocity that can cause erosion of soil and river banks, according to Wright, reported The Conversation. Additionally, flood waters are also now often highly contaminated and urban sewage systems also overflow in times of wet weather and flood.
According to The Conversation, experts have discussed and determined Australia’s water security is under threat due to climate change. There were several water quality problems after Australia’s Black summer bushfires, which removed catchment vegetation. Additionally, heavy rains and flooding carried loose ash, soil and debris into the storage reservoir.
The SES prepared a list of the preparations and supplies needed in the case of extreme weather events.
In areas that are already flooded, people are advised to take advice from authorities on safe drinking water in the event of boil orders or to avoid the water altogether.
