Published 10am Wednesday 5 March 2025
Bellingen Shire Council is advising of a delay to planned excavation and water main works at 1 Elliot Close due to the forecasted severe weather event associated with Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The NSW SES has issued flood warnings for the region, with potential moderate to major flooding, heavy rainfall, and hazardous conditions later this week. As a result, all scheduled works will be postponed until conditions improve. Council will continue to monitor the situation and will reschedule works once it is safe to proceed.
Water Quality Update
Despite weather delays, ongoing water testing continues to confirm that both hot and cold water services remain clear of contamination and fully compliant with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).
Latest Test Results – 25, 26 & 27 February 2025
Water samples collected from multiple locations have returned clear results for Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (BTEX compounds), with no detections in any sample:
- 25 February 2025 (Batch 25/0467) – No BTEX detected.
- 26 February 2025 (Batch 25/0484) – No BTEX detected.
- 27 February 2025 (Batch 25/0495) – No BTEX detected.
These results further confirm that hydrocarbons are no longer present in the water supply, and internal water services remain safe for use as per previous NSW Health advice.
Next Steps
- All excavation and water main works will be rescheduled once weather conditions allow. Further updates will be provided.
- Water testing is now completed with one result still to be returned.
- Council is continuing assessments of external water services to confirm all are appropriately connected and compliant before lifting restrictions. External taps should not be used until further notice.
Stay Informed
Tenants and residents are advised to stay informed by monitoring NSW SES updates and following all safety advice related to potential flooding.
For flood warnings and safety information, visit the NSW SES website:
�� NSW SES Flood Advice – Stay Informed
Council appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation. Further updates will be provided as conditions develop.
Published 3pm Friday 28 February 2025
Bellingen Shire Council is pleased to provide an update on the water contamination response at 1 Elliot Close, including the latest test results, completed remediation actions, and next steps.
Latest Water Testing & Remediation Completed
Water samples collected on 24 February 2025 from multiple locations, including both cold and hot water supplies, have returned clear results for Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (BTEX compounds). These results confirm that the water supply now meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).
As part of the remediation process:
- The hot water system has been replaced, effectively eliminating the identified source of hydrocarbons.
- Tap filters are being replaced to further ensure water quality.
- NSW Health has advised that restrictions on internal taps can now be lifted, and normal use may resume.
Next Steps & External Water Services
While internal taps are now safe for normal use, Council is continuing assessments of external water services to confirm all are appropriately connected and compliant before restrictions on external taps are lifted. Until these assessments are complete, external taps should not be used.
Further infrastructure improvements are also planned, including:
- Excavation of the water main and installation of a new permanent copper service line, ensuring long-term water quality.
- Soil sampling during excavation on 4 March 2025 to assess any remaining contamination risks (weather permitting).
- Ongoing Monitoring & Commitment to Safety
Council remains committed to ensuring a safe and fully compliant water supply. NSW Health will continue reviewing test results to verify compliance once the permanent service line is installed. Additional microbiological and hydrocarbon testing will be conducted at that stage.
Further updates will be provided as works progress.
Published 5pm Thursday 20 February 2025
Water Testing and Clearance Update
Since contamination was first identified, multiple rounds of water quality testing have been conducted to track the issue, assess remediation efforts, and ensure compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Early test results detected elevated levels of hydrocarbons, including Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (BTEX compounds) in the facility’s water supply. Following system flushing, infrastructure upgrades, and ongoing monitoring, subsequent tests showed a progressive reduction in contaminants, confirming the effectiveness of remediation efforts.
The latest test results now show three consecutive rounds of clear results, with no detection of BTEX compounds in any sample:
- 12 February 2025 (Batch 25/0347) – No detection of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, or Xylenes in kitchen tap samples.
- 14 February 2025 (Batch 25/0378) – No detection of BTEX compounds in kitchen tap samples.
- 17 February 2025 (Batch 25/0384) – No detection of BTEX compounds in water samples from two separate locations within the facility.
These results confirm that hydrocarbons are no longer present in the facility’s water supply. While the required three clear test results have been obtained, restrictions on internal tap use will remain in place while Council seeks formal advice from NSW Health regarding their removal.
Ongoing Investigations and Next Steps
While the latest results indicate the water supply is now clear of hydrocarbons, Council continues to investigate potential contamination in surrounding areas. Additional soil sampling will be undertaken to assess whether hydrocarbons are present in high-risk locations, including the sandpit, garden areas where irrigation has occurred, and sites along the water supply.
Council is also consulting with NSW Health to determine whether further assessments, such as vapour monitoring, are required. Any long-term remediation measures will be determined as required to ensure continued water safety.
The next steps will include:
- Ongoing monitoring to ensure no reoccurrence of contamination.
- Determining the precise source of contamination and whether further infrastructure upgrades or remediation are required.
- Finalising a long-term solution, which may involve permanent infrastructure modifications.
Council remains committed to keeping the community informed and is releasing all water test results to date, demonstrating the ongoing testing process and successful remediation efforts.
Council will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Published 12pm Friday 14 February 2025
Bellingen Shire Council is providing an updated assessment of recent water sampling results, conducted in accordance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Test Results and Key Findings
Two rounds of water quality testing have been undertaken at 1 Elliot Close:
Initial Testing – 24 January 2025 (Report RN1455407)
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Hydrocarbons, including Toluene (4500 µg/L), Ethylbenzene (85 µg/L), and Xylenes (490 µg/L), were detected in the water supply.
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Benzene and Toluene levels exceeded both health and aesthetic guideline values, requiring immediate intervention.
Follow-up Testing – 7 February 2025 (Batch 25/0315)
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All other hydrocarbons, including Benzene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes, were either non-detectable or significantly lower than in previous tests.
Next Steps and Water Use Guidelines
The test results suggest that contamination was linked to the old service line, which has now been disconnected and replaced with a new temporary service line. However, traces of hydrocarbons remain, and further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact contamination source.
On review of our testing protocols to date, discussions with NSW Health confirm that the contamination is within the service line and not in the broader reticulated water supply.
Daily water quality testing is underway, and internal tap restrictions will remain in place until three consecutive test results confirm compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
To ensure full transparency, Council is releasing all water test results conducted to date, including the initial results showing hydrocarbon contamination and the most recent results confirming a significant reduction. These reports are provided in good faith for public reference.
Council remains committed to keeping tenants fully informed as the situation progresses and will also update publicly available information on its website.
Published 5pm Monday 10 February 2025
Over the weekend, Council staff were on-site Saturday and Sunday to carry out critical work, including the connection of a temporary water supply line to provide clean, uncontaminated water for immediate use. Extensive flushing of the taps throughout the facility was also completed as part of the mitigation measures, however an odour remains present at this time.
Ongoing investigations to isolate the point of contamination continue, and a separate uncontaminated service line will be connected to the facility on Tuesday. By connecting a new line to the facility we are hoping to be able to determine that the contamination is on the outside of the facility through a clear regime within the facility.
Council has expedited testing to provide results as quickly as possible, with initial results expected by Wednesday. Sampling will continue daily until three consecutive results confirm the water is safe and meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, after which restrictions will be lifted.
Council remains committed to keeping tenants fully informed as the situation progresses and will also update publicly available information on its website.
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Council on 02 6655 7300 or via email council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au
Published 5pm Saturday 08 February 2025
Council, in consultation with NSW Health, is addressing a localised water contamination issue at 1 Elliot Close Bellingen. As advised by NSW Health, the facility can remain open under strict measures to ensure no contact with the affected water supply.