UPDATE APRIL 1, 4PM

COUNCIL HAS advised that water supply has been restored to homes in the Greenhills area.

“Low pressure water just restored to Greenhills. Please run taps for five to ten minutes BUT STILL BOIL. This applies to Greenhills/Mistral Rd/Bakers Rd,” Council said.

“Uki boiled water alert still current.”

“Everywhere else, water is fine to drink but please minimise use if possible as the system is under pressure.”

Council has also announced they will offer free waste disposal at the Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre for flood-damaged material.

MARCH 31, 5PM

TWEED SHIRE Council is reporting parts of Tweed Valley Way have sustained extensive damage especially at Greenhills at Murwillumbah South, in the vicinity of Blacks Drain.

“Homes and businesses in the area are without water and a number of properties have been inundated,” Council said in a media statement this afternoon.

“Council staff are working to restore water to the Greenhills Lodge aged care facility, however properties and businesses south of there will be without water until the water recedes and repairs are made to infrastructure.

“Council advises that any water collected more than 24 hours ago in the Greenhills area needs to be boiled before use, as a precaution against any possible contamination.

“The water main and rising sewer main were both washed out during the heavy rain and the road, a bridge, culvert and footpath sustained major damage.

 “Council will work with the SES to attempt to get bottled water supplies to isolated residents.”

Council said it may be some time before the water recedes enough for an assessment to be carried out and repairs made.

“The situation is made more difficult as Council plant and equipment is isolated in other locations and it will take time to be able to access the site,” the media statement said.

Council’s General Manager, Troy Green, said Council would be working throughout the weekend to restore services to these residents as quickly as possible.

Mr Green is also urging residents to reduce their water consumption over the coming days.

“Please reduce water consumption in the Tweed as there are issues with some water pump stations,” Council social media page said.

“Council crews are working to repair affected water and sewage infrastructure.”

Uki residents are advised to boil their water (see below) all other Tweed residents do not need to boil water at this stage, according to Council.

UKI WATER SUPPLY

TWEED SHIRE Council said recent heavy rain has made the Uki drinking water supply “untreatable”, in a media statement and that Uki has its own water treatment plant and this water may have become contaminated.

Residents are advised that water used for drinking or food preparation should be brought to a rolling boil.

“Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated,” the statement reads.

“If you are unable to boil the water, household bleach can be used to kill disease causing organisms in the water. Add 10 drops of 1 per cent chlorine bleach per litre of water and let it stand for 30 minutes. If you cannot smell chlorine after that time, add another 10 drops.

“Bottled or cool boiled water or bleached water should be used for drinking, preparing food, making ice, pet’s drinking water, cleaning teeth and gargling.

“Dishes should be washed in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.  Children should take bottled or cool boiled water or bleached water to school.”

Tweed Shire Council said it is working to fix the problem and bring in alternative water via a tanker or bottled water.

This advice should be followed until further notice.