General News
16 March, 2026
High level water restrictions
RESIDENTS and visitors are being asked to limit their water use to essential hygiene and health purposes as Cairns Regional Council undertakes emergency works to bring its water treatment plant back online.
Council has implemented Level 4 water restrictions effective immediately, after heavy overnight rainfall on Saturday forced water treatment operations to pause.
Level 4 restrictions limit water use to essential needs only, including drinking, cooking and bathing.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said extremely high turbidity levels in the Freshwater Creek catchment, caused by the intense rainfall, forced the Freshwater treatment plant offline at about 1am on Sunday.
“Until we’re able to restart treating raw water, our region is relying on water stored in reservoirs,” Cr Eden said.
“Copperlode Dam is currently about 1.3m over the spillway and, combined with ongoing heavy rainfall, this is creating strong river flows and very high turbidity,” Cr Eden said.
“With more wet weather forecast, it’s possible the treatment plant could remain offline for some time, which is why we’ve implemented the highest level of water restrictions to preserve supply for as long as possible.”
Council CEO Ken Gouldthorp said: “Our crews need to clear debris from the intake and the turbidity needs to reduce before we can safely restart operations. Current conditions and ongoing rain creating further debris is making this challenging.”
“The combination of wet weather and reduced water capacity was an ongoing challenge. Council’s Brinsmead and Bayview reservoirs are currently offline, while the University reservoir is operating at reduced capacity,” he said.
“We’re asking everyone in our community – residents and visitors alike – to help us by cutting back water use and limiting it to essential needs like drinking, cooking and showering.
“We know this is a big ask, but small changes from everyone will make a real difference right now.”
Shorter showers and using buckets filled with rainwater or pool water to flush toilets, can all help reduce the demand on our reservoirs.
“It might not seem like much, but if we all do our bit, we can slow the drawdown and help extend our available water until the treatment plant is back online,” Mr Gouldthorp said.
Water restrictions will be reassessed once treatment operations are re-established and water supply stabilises.
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In the meantime residents in Trinity Park, Smithfield and Yorkeys Knob may notice temporary water discolouration as council implements contingency measures to maintain drinking water supply across the network.
While the treatment plant remains offline, council will begin pumping water stored in a large reservoir at Kewarra Beach back into the network to help extend available supply.
Changes in the normal direction of water movement through the network can occasionally cause temporary discolouration.
The water remains safe to drink and is being regularly monitored and tested to ensure it meets strict health standards.
Council will notify residents if there are any health concerns.
Be prepared – store water
Residents are encouraged to store water safely to help prepare for potential service disruptions.
*Drinking water: Use clean, food-grade containers. Store in a cool, dark place and refresh every three months.
*Non-potable water: Save rainwater, collect shower water, or use pool water for flushing toilets and watering gardens.
Having stored water available can help households continue to drink, cook and clean during disruptions.
