Seqwater will need to shut down the water supply to Karragarra, Lamb, and Macleay Islands overnight on Saturday 20 March 2021, to complete the replacement of an 80-metre section of pipeline on Karragarra Island.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Neil Brennan said the replacement project will improve reliability of supply for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, after a series of pipeline bursts in the section of pipe being replaced.

“We are committed to minimising the impacts of this work for residents and businesses which is why the shutdown is happening overnight when water use is at its lowest,” Mr Brennan said.

“The team needs 10 hours to complete this work, so to ensure water is available for everyone in the morning from 7am, the shutdown will start from 9pm,” he said.

“We realise this will impact some businesses, vulnerable residents and emergency services, so have endeavoured to provide as much notice as possible.”

Residents are advised to begin preparing for an overnight water shutdown by filling suitable containers with drinking water and storing them in the fridge, storing water in the bathtub to be used for toilet flushing and planning to shower or bath before 9pm or after 7am.

When water supply is restored, there may be some air in residential pipes or slightly milky coloured water when residents first turn on their taps. Residents are advised to let the water run for 2-3 minutes to clear. The water is safe to drink.

When the water supply is restored and the repaired main is flushed, residents may notice hydrants with flowing water. This is necessary to flush the pipeline. Residents are requested to not approach the hydrants or attempt to turn them off.

Seqwater worked in coordination with Redland City Council and local businesses to best manage the timing of the required shut down.

Residents who have urgent enquiries during the shutdown should contact Redland City Council on 3829 8999.

Residents in parts of Mount Cotton and on three Southern Moreton Bay Islands will experience
temporary overnight water supply interruptions over May and June as essential maintenance
work is carried out to improve water security.

From 28-30 May 2019, Seqwater crews will temporarily stop water supply to some properties so
inspections can be carried out on a 50-year-old pipeline between Alexandra Hills Reservoir and
Heinemann Road Reservoir at Mount Cotton.

The inspections will enable Seqwater to prioritise pipe replacement. The first two sections were
successfully completed in early May.

Water supply will be turned off from 9pm with planned restoration at 5am the following morning.
Residents on Karragarra Island, Lamb Island and Macleay Island will also experience temporary
overnight water supply interruptions from Saturday 1 June to Sunday 2 June, while work is
being carried out on pipelines to the island and other water infrastructure.

The project follows pipeline bursts on Karragarra Island which resulted in unplanned water
supply disruptions on those three islands.

The upgrade work will reduce the risk of water supply disruptions in the future.

To complete this essential work, Seqwater must temporarily turn off some pipelines.

Residents on the three islands will have low or no water supply for up to 12 hours from 8pm on
Saturday 1 June.

Water supply is expected to be restored on Sunday morning 2 June.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Neil Brennan said Seqwater had been working closely with a
team at Redland City Council to minimise the impact on affected residents.

“We understand having temporary water supply interruptions is not easy and appreciate the
understanding and patience of locals as this vital work is carried out,” Mr Brennan said.

Affected properties will receive a notice in the letterbox ahead of a water supply interruption.
Seqwater will be working closely with Redland City Council, community champions, SES and
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to help ensure all residents on the three islands are prepared for the temporary shutdown.

For more information call 1300 737 928 or visit Seqwater.com.au or Redland.qld.gov.au/WaterOutages

11:30am Sunday 12 May 2019

Water restored to Karragarra, Macleay and Lamb Islands

Water supply is back on at Karragarra, Macleay and Lamb Islands. Water pressure will build as pipes fill.

Seqwater advises the water is safe to drink and does not require boiling.

Residents and visitors at Karragarra, Macleay and Lamb Islands are asked to let their taps run for 2-3 minutes before using water after a main pipe was replaced overnight.

There may be some air in residential pipes or some discoloured water when residents first turn on their tap.

Thank you to Seqwater and Council crews who replaced the burst pipe and island ambassadors, rural fire service, SES, ferry operators and community members who provided invaluable assistance during this emergency incident.

Inquiries: Seqwater 1300 737 928 or visit the Redlands Coast disaster dashboard website (disaster.redland.qld.gov.au)

10:55am Sunday 12 May 2019

Run water before use, but no need to boil – Southern Moreton Bay Islands

Residents and visitors at Karragarra, Macleay and Lamb Islands are asked to let their taps run for 2-3 minutes before using water after a main pipe was replaced overnight.

Seqwater advises the water is safe to drink and does not require boiling.

Water is coming back progressively across the three islands this morning.

There may be some air in residential pipes or some discoloured water when residents first turn on their tap.

Treated water samples have been taken at various points along the network and laboratory tested to ensure there is no concern for public health.

Redland City Council and Seqwater thank residents of the Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay Islands for their patience while these essential repairs were completed. Thank you to community champions, fire and emergency services, SES, community members and ferry operators for helping to get information out to island residents.

The burst water main was on Karragarra Island.

Inquiries: Seqwater 1300 737 928 or visit the Redlands Coast disaster dashboard website (disaster.redland.qld.gov.au)

9:20am Sunday 12 May 2019

Water to be restored to Southern Moreton Bay islands by mid-morning

Seqwater advises water will be progressively restored to Karragarra, Macleay and Lamb islands on Redlands Coast this morning.

A burst water main on Karragarra Island was successfully replaced overnight and drinking water is being progressively restored to island residents. All residents should have water supply back by mid-morning today.

The water is safe to drink. Treated water samples will be taken at various points along the network and laboratory tested to ensure there is no concern for public health.

There may be some air in residential pipes or some discoloured water when residents first turn on their tap.

Residents are advised to let the water run for 2-3 minutes to clear. The tap water will be safe to drink.

Thank you to community champions, Rural Fire Service, SES, ferry operators and community members for helping to get information out to island residents and thanks to Seqwater and Council crews for their work.

For more information, call Seqwater on 1300 737 928 or visit the Redlands Coast Disaster Dashboard website at disaster.redland.qld.gov.au.

 

7:15pm Saturday 11 May 2019

Water shutdown begins for Karragarra Island pipe repair

Water supply to Lamb, Macleay and Karragarra Islands has been temporarily stopped so that a burst water main can be safely repaired.

Some residents have experienced low water pressure since this morning however water supply was maintained during the day.

The water supply remains safe to drink.

Our plan is to complete the repairs overnight. We will provide an update if that cannot be achieved.

Seqwater and Redland City Council will conduct water quality testing and flushing before water supply is restored to island residents.

If during the shutdown emergency bottled water supplies are needed:

• Karragarra and Lamb Islands residents should contact Qld Fire and Emergency Services on 1800 017 029 from 10pm-6am
• Macleay Island residents should contact SES from 10pm-6am on 13 25 00 

We will provide updates as information becomes available.

For more information call 1300 737 928 or visit Seqwater.com.au and Redland.qld.gov.au

To keep up-to-date overnight check Council’s disaster dashboard Disaster.redland.qld.gov.au which shares Seqwater’s updates.

We thank residents of the Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay Islands for their patience while these essential repairs are completed.

4:50pm Saturday 11 May 2019

Thank you to residents of Karragarra, Macleay and Lamb Islands who are preparing for a complete water shutdown on those islands after 7pm tonight due to a burst Seqwater main pipe. Crews from Seqwater, assisted by Council crews, will work to fix the problem overnight. Seqwater advises the water is currently safe to drink. If you haven’t already, fill clean containers for drinking and your bath for water to flush the toilet overnight. Thanks to island ambassadors, fire and rescue crews and council staff for spreading the word about the emergency shutdown. Inquiries: Seqwater on 1300 737 928.

2:50pm Saturday 11 May 2019

There may be reduced water pressure or no water on some areas of Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay Islands late this afternoon while Seqwater and Redland City Council crews investigate the cause of a burst Seqwater water main on Karragarra Island.

From 7pm this evening water will be shutdown overnight on the three islands as repairs are undertaken.  

Seqwater and Redland City Council crews are currently on Karragarra Island to investigate the cause of the burst water main.

The first step is to drain the lake around the burst water main so crews can inspect the pipeline. This is expected to take most of the day.

Water pressure will need to be further reduced late in the afternoon today to allow inspection of the pipe once lake has been lowered.

For some areas, this may result in very low or no water pressure.

Seqwater will determine the repair work required once the pipe is assessed.

The aim is to undertake the repair work overnight tonight. This will require an overnight shutdown of water supply to Karragarra, Macleay and Lamb Islands from 7pm tonight. Residents are advised to begin preparing for an overnight water shutdown by:

• filling suitable containers with drinking water and storing them in the fridge
• store water in the bathtub that can be used for toilet flushing
• plan to shower or bath early this evening or later tomorrow morning.

More information will be provided as it becomes available. Inquiries: Seqwater 1300 737 928

12:30pm Saturday 11 May 2019

Seqwater and Redland City Council crews are currently on Karragarra Island to investigate the cause of the Seqwater burst water main. The first step is to drain the lake around the burst water main so crews can inspect the pipeline. This is expected to take most of the day.

Water pressure will need to be further reduced late in the afternoon to allow inspection of the pipe once lake has been lowered. For some areas, this may result in very low or no water pressure.

Seqwater will determine the repair work required once the pipe is assessed.

The aim is to undertake the repair work overnight tonight. This will require an overnight shutdown of water supply to Karragarra, Macleay and Lamb Islands from 7pm tonight. Residents are advised to begin preparing for an overnight water shutdown by:

• filling suitable containers with drinking water and storing them in the fridge
• store water in the bathtub that can be used for toilet flushing
• plan to shower or bath early this evening or later tomorrow morning.

More information will be provided as it becomes available. Inquiries: 1300 737 928

8.45am Saturday 11 May 2019

Some areas of Macleay, Karragarra and Lamb Islands are experiencing reduced water pressure due to a burst Seqwater trunk main in East Street at Karragarra Island. Seqwater is aware of the break and is mobilising crew to the island. Redland City Council crew will also be working with Seqwater on site to assist.

More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.