Director Infrastructure Gary George said a power outage at the Finley Water Treatment Plant briefly affected normal operations.
“The issue was fixed quickly, but during the restart a small amount of flocculant entered the system, which caused temporary cloudiness for some households. At no point was the water unsafe,” Mr George said.
He said there had been no changes to council’s treatment processes, water sources, or maintenance routines.
Mr George said water quality can vary from time to time due to external factors, such as accidental damage to water mains.
“A recent incident in Finley caused short-term disruption and may have contributed to what residents experienced.”
To help clear the system council fast-tracked a full network flushing program to remove any remaining flocculant, and some properties may have noticed cloudy water as older water was pushed through the mains.
Mr George said routine flushing also occurs throughout the year as needed. Warm weather can also increase algal activity, which may temporarily affect taste or smell.
“Council adjusts treatment dosages when necessary to ensure quality remains within safe limits.
“Council follows the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, with daily monitoring at all key points in the system. After a week of flushing, the issue has now been resolved,” Mr George said.
He added Finley’s treated water continues to meet Australian Drinking Water Quality Standards and is safe for drinking, cooking and everyday use.
Residents who still notice localised issues are encouraged to contact council so the water team can investigate further.
Mr George said no health concerns had been reported, and NSW Health would be notified immediately if required.
Residents are asked not to touch or adjust any flushing equipment that may be in place across the network. These standpipes and valves are essential to improving water quality, and even small interruptions can slow down the process and extend the time it takes to restore normal supply.
“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in allowing our crews to carry out this important work safely and efficiently,” Mr George said.
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