E.Coli found in Port water

Friday, September 5, 2008

VIDEO: Residents in the Port Douglas area have been ordered to boil all drinking water indefinitely after the deadly E.Coli bacteria was found in more than half the region's water reservoirs.

Cairns health officials warned that elderly people and children were most at risk and advised residents to either boil water or buy bottled water until further notice.

Queensland Health water scientists and medical officers said poorly maintained reservoirs were exposed to potential contaminants from cockroaches, vermin, bird faeces, lizards and frogs.

"The Public Health Act requires water service providers to supply safe drinking water and we have a duty of care to our community," Cairns Regional Council general manager of w ater and waste Bruce Gardiner said.

"Queensland Health has advised that as a precaution, residents in Port Douglas, Craiglee, Mowbray, Rock Point and Daintree Village should boil all drinking water until further notice."

Chair of the council's Water and Waste Committee Cr Paul Gregory said the water supply would be given a one-off dose of chlorine to kill the bacteria, and an audit and restoration program of the reservoirs would cost a "significant amount" and take up to 12 months to complete.

Full report in tomorrow's The Weekend Post

<strong>Water problems: </strong>General manager Water and Waste Bruce Gardiner, chair of Water and Waste Committee Cr Paul Gregory and Tropical Public Health Unit's Dr Jeffrey Hanna in discussions.

Water problems: General manager Water and Waste Bruce Gardiner, chair of Water and Waste Committee Cr Paul Gregory and Tropical Public Health Unit's Dr Jeffrey Hanna in discussions.

<strong>What the:</strong> Phill was so horrified to see this blatant display of risky riding on Hoare St, Manunda, yesterday, he snapped this picture with the hope of knocking some sense into the cyclist.

No hands, helmet or brains

THIS snap of a young woman holding a toddler as she rode a bike down the wrong way of a busy Manunda street is enough to make anyone cringe. more

<strong>Let out: </strong>Garri Douglas Knight leaves the Cairns police watchhouse after being released from custody.

Sex predator released

A CHILD sex predator caught taking photos of a nine-year-old girl at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon also had a stash of child porn and convictions for indecent acts.
more

<strong>Cannot believe it:</strong> Fay Mammone was devastated by the death of her husband Peter.

Widow's grief over penalty

FAY Mammone is ready to meet - and maybe even forgive - the teenage motorist whose careless driving killed her fun-loving husband, who would have turned 40 today. more

<strong>In custody:</strong> Notorious fraud suspect John Arthur Edwards could face more than 30 criminal charges when he is eventually brought back to Cairns.

Con suspect caught

NOTORIOUS fraud suspect John Arthur Edwards could face more than 30 criminal charges when he is eventually brought back to Cairns. more

<strong>In court:</strong> Closing pubs in Cape York indigenous communities would be racist and un-Australian, a Cairns court has heard. Kids at Aurukun stand under a sign displaying alcohol management rules.

Cops fear pub grog ban

CLOSING pubs in Cape York indigenous communities would be racist and un-Australian, a Cairns court has heard. more

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional. Read our publication guidelines.

Submit your feedback here:

Full name:		Email address:
Location (optional):
Your comments: (max 1200 characters)
	Remember my details (So you don't have to retype your details each time you send feedback.) Email me if my comment is published