Water alert precaution removed
MACLEAN residents affected by the recent "boil water alert'' from Clarence Valley Council have been told the precaution has been lifted, although the source of contamination remains unknown.
Clarence Valley Council's water cycle manager Greg Mashiah said routine testing had identified a posi- tive result for e. coli bacteria in the Maclean Lookout reservoir on December 21, with follow-up tests indicating no further issue.
"The boil water alert was lifted on Monday afternoon following approval from the Department of Health," Mr Mashiah said.
While the cause of contamination is unclear, the lookout reservoir has been emptied, cleaned of silt, and refilled from the Roderick St reservoir as a matter of precaution.
"Each week we sample 20 to 24 sites around the Clarence Valley as part of an ongoing monitoring program and this is how we picked up the positive result for e. coli at this site, indicating the possibility of contamination," he said.
However, Mr Mashiah said residual chlorine levels in the water would have provided some level of protection. In December, about 300 affected properties were notified via a letterbox drop to take preventative measures and remain on a boil water alert until further notice.
The majority of Maclean's properties are serviced by two much-larger reservoirs in Roderick St with water drawn mostly from the Nymboida River.
