UPPER Hunter Shire Council has lifted the Boil Water Alert for Scone and Aberdeen, as recommended by NSW Health based on the results of daily water quality tests.
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The water is now safe to drink and use in food preparation in all towns in the shire.
Council thanks residents for their patience and cooperation since the Boil Water Alert was issued on Tuesday, July 28, for Scone and Friday, July 31, for Aberdeen due to heavy rainfall in the water supply catchment.
Since July 31, water for the two towns has been sourced from the Aberdeen water supply, which comes from the Hunter River and passes through an infiltration gallery.
Council flushed mains over this time, which improved the water quality in Scone and Aberdeen.
"We've been closely monitoring the turbidity levels across the networks, and now the water has returned to normal across the reticulation systems (the pipes to your home)," a spokesperson said.
"Further good news is that Water NSW have advised council that the algae levels have dropped in Glenbawn Dam, allowing council to draw water from higher level off-take in the dam when turbidity is at normal levels.
"Therefore, council can resume sourcing water from Glenbawn Dam for Scone, Aberdeen and Murrurundi in the next week.
"Adding chlorine is currently the only treatment option council has for water from Glenbawn Dam and Aberdeen River intake."
Council has received funding from the NSW Government to implement UV disinfection and additional pre-chlorination treatment upgrades to the Scone water supply system within the next 12 months.
"We're also working to secure a commitment from the NSW Government to help fund the construction of a water filtration plant for Scone, allowing council to reduce turbidity levels in the water, regardless of the dam off-take level," the spokesperson said.
"This will take some years to develop and deliver, and council has begun the process to have a new water treatment plant designed."