Gravesend Water Update

Published on 07 August 2025

Current as of 11.30am, Thursday 7 August 2025.

In response to the recent community concerns regarding the water issues in Gravesend, Council wishes to reassure residents that there is no need for alarm. It is hoped that this post demonstrates that Council is fully committed to transparency and is here to give you the facts on the recent water testing results in Gravesend.

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) state that based on health considerations, the guideline value for total chlorine in drinking water is 5mg/L.

You will see in the below image that Council conducted numerous tests across various sites in Gravesend. Council is pleased to report that no chlorine levels have ever been observed by Council in excess of those determined in the ADWG. The maximum chlorine observation was less than 4mg/L, well within the limits.

Please note, testing also occurred at private residences in Gravesend, for their privacy you will see that this information has been redacted from the image. The important message here is that the chlorine levels are well within the parameters of the ADWG and the water remains fit for consumption.

It should be noted that Council used two separate devices to test the chlorine levels, which is reflected in the below image. This was done for quality assurance purposes.

To provide greater insight into the Gravesend water management, chlorine levels, along with other safe drinking water guidelines are tested every second day in Gravesend as part of the general routine by Council staff.

Last week, lower than normal chlorine levels were observed. This typically indicates an increased demand for chlorine and is necessary if there are changes in the water quality intake. In response, Council staff increased the chlorine dosage to ensure adequate disinfection of raw water. Chlorine levels spiked beyond expected levels (still within the safe zone as indicated by the ADWG), and Council increased testing frequency to daily at multiple sites as a precaution.

Given the readings remained within the guidelines and again safe for consumption, Council did not anticipate the smell of chlorine or skin irritation issues that were later reported by some residents of Gravesend. Following these grievances, Council staff began flushing water lines and reservoirs. This exercise was done to address the comfort concerns of residents and again the water remained safe to drink.

It is noted that generally people can detect the smell of chlorine at 0.6mg/L, while the safe drinking water level is more than eight times this concentration. Given the increased chlorine levels, this may be the reason why there was a more notable smell present. Again, the reported levels are not harmful and are well within the ADWG.

Council aims to keep chlorine concentration below the detectable smell level, however changes in intake of water quality from bores adjacent to the Gwydir River may mean chlorine concentration levels may change. In future, Council will report via its Facebook page should chlorine levels exceed 0.6mg/L by a material amount.

Due to high turbidity in the Gwydir River following recent rainfall, Council elected to truck water from Warialda this week. Pumping from the riverside bores may have resulted in a boil water alert, which would have further compounded water issues. As river levels and turbidity have now dropped, water carting has ceased.

For further information on Chlorine when used in drinking water, please visit the ADWG website: https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/part-5/physical-chemical-characteristics/chlorine