Cook Shire Council is aware of ongoing discoloration in Cooktown’s water supply and is actively working to address the issue.
Cook Shire CEO, Brian Joiner today issued the following open letter to residents of Cooktown explaining what’s being done to address the concerns and assure the community that the water is safe to drink.
The letter states that following Tropical Cyclone Jasper, the water intake tower at the Annan Water Treatment Plant was inundated with floodwaters. Sediment in the floodwaters damaged the pumps, and that Council replaced the damaged pumps in October 2024.
Since the replacement, there have been periods of discoloured water in Cooktown’s supply.
What’s being done:
Council crews have flushed reservoirs and pipes across the network, but the discoloration persists. Testing at multiple locations confirms the water remains safe to drink, with bacteria and coliform levels well within acceptable limits. However, we understand the inconvenience caused and are seeking independent expert advice to determine the exact cause and find long-term solutions.
What we suspect:
- Increased levels of minerals like iron and manganese are likely causing the discoloration.
- These minerals may have entered the water supply due to landslides in the catchment area during Tropical Cyclone Jasper, exposing soil and rocks not previously contributing to the system.
- This issue could naturally resolve with the wet season, but we are exploring infrastructure upgrades to prevent future occurrences.
Council understands the frustration this issue has caused and appreciates your patience while investigations continue. For more information, please refer to the detailed letter from the CEO.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure the quality of Cooktown’s water supply. Further updates will be shared on our website and Facebook page.
If you have any further questions, queries or concerns, please contact us by calling 4082 0500 during office hours or email mail@cook.ald.gov.au at your convenience.