A precautionary advice for drinking water (water boil alert) was issued today for the Ngukurr Community, following advice from the Power and Water Corporation that water demand is outstripping available supply at Ngukurr. Power and Water has switched over the community’s source of water from the bores to the Roper River to prevent the community from running out of water, however this may reduce the effectiveness of water treatment.

Power and Water has initiated a number of measures to reduce water consumption at Ngukurr to enable a return to bore water supply but it is anticipated that a water boil alert will be in place over the Christmas period.

In the meantime as a precautionary measure, the Department of Health recommends that water for drinking, food preparation and oral hygiene be obtained from either packaged bottled water or by boiling tap water and allowing to cool prior to use.

The Department of Health will lift the Precautionary Advice for Drinking Water (Water Boil Alert) once Power and Water confirms when the Ngukurr water supply reverts to bore water.

Anyone who has concerns can contact the department’s Environmental Health hotline during business hours on toll free 1800 095 646. 

Media Contact:

Dimitra Grehl 0427 596 954 (Health)

Jane Dellow 0439 500 761 (Power and Water)