Murchison Shire Residents' Water Quality Concerns Despite Upgrades
Despite significant improvements in water quality, residents of Murchison Shire in Western Australia continue to express dissatisfaction with their drinking water. The issue has sparked debates about the effectiveness of recent infrastructure investments.
Mid-West MP Shane Love brought attention to the matter in parliament, revealing that residents in Sandstone, Mount Magnet, Cue, and Yalgoo have raised concerns about the quality of their drinking water. The Water Corporation, however, maintains that the water is safe and meets Australian standards, dismissing any contrary claims as false.
The Water Corporation has invested $25.7 million in the region, constructing specialized Electrodialysis Reversal plants in Meekatharra, Mount Magnet, Cue, and Sandstone. These upgrades were intended to address salinity, hardness, and nitrate issues in the water.
Despite these improvements, some residents remain skeptical. Sandstone resident Jeff Hargrave, for instance, prefers bottled water, noting visible signs of water degradation, such as a skin on top of coffee and eye irritation during showers. His ice machine, even with a filter, still clogs up with a white film.
Ian Sumption, another Sandstone resident, shares similar concerns. He has struggled to grow plants and has raised his concerns with the shire. Unlike many, he lacks access to a bore and relies on a local rainwater tank, making frequent trips during the summer.
Sumption sought filtration advice from Puretec, a water treatment company, and was shocked to learn that his tap water was not fit for human consumption. The Water Corporation acknowledges the existence of water filtration companies in the area, warning that their testing methods can be rudimentary and unreliable.
Puretec's sales engineer, Burke Stacey, confirmed that discrepancies between meter and tap water quality can occur but emphasized that their testing is not a sales tactic. The company referred the client back to the Water Corporation due to the disparity in results.
The effectiveness of the upgrades is still a subject of debate. Cue was recently praised for having the state's best-tasting tap water, but Shire President Les Price highlights ongoing issues related to pipe systems and water delivery. He suggests that upgrading these systems could further enhance water quality.
Beth Walton, Sandstone Shire President, acknowledges the need for infrastructure updates but notes varying resident reactions. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining communication with the Water Corporation to ensure compliance with water standards.
