Residents in the flood-ridden Lockyer Valley have received an urgent warning to cut water use as much as possible.
The regional council released an emergency statement telling locals to save their water for essential needs such as drinking and bathing, after severe damage to mains supply.
“All Lockyer Valley residents and businesses in the Lockyer Valley need to conserve water use to essentials only, such as drinking, cooking and showering,” a council spokesman said in a statement on Wednesday.
Withcott is out of water, Helidon is expected to run out by 8pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, Gatton will be out early on Thursday morning while Laidley has three days’ supply left.
“Queensland Urban Utilities have reported severe damage to the main trunk water line which may take some time to repair,” the spokesman added.
“Residents are urged that in order to preserve drinking water supply they cut their water use to an absolute minimum.”
The desalination plant at Tugun on the Gold Coast has increased output to help ensure supply to the southeast.
It is operating at 66 per cent capacity but can be boosted within hours, Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson said in a statement.
“At this time of great uncertainty, the desalination plant and the water grid are being used to their full extent to provide safe, sufficient and secure drinking water.”
Water supplies are currently secure for Ipswich, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, although residents in affected regions are advised to boil water for three minutes.
