Uralla arsenic: water restrictions relaxed for Easter long weekend to flush toxic water from Uralla town supply

Uralla Shire Council hopes the relaxed measures over the four-day break will flush the remaining water with elevated arsenic levels from the town water supply.

This means residents of the town can engage in luxuries like watering their lawns and gardens and washing their cars from midnight on Thursday to midnight on Monday.

Council said the unrestricted use of water over the Easter long weekend will assist in flushing the town's reticulation system of any water with elevated levels of arsenic.

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Uralla is otherwise on Level 5 water restrictions, and has been since January.

Despite the town's main water supply dam, Kentucky Creek Dam, being almost full, the severe conservation measures will remain in place until the issue of elevated arsenic levels in the town water can be resolved.

In good news for residents, Uralla Shire Council's acting general manager Scott Phillips said that could soon be the case.

"With test results of the treated water continuing to show arsenic levels below the 0.010 milligrams per litre Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, we are still hopeful that the do not drink alert will be lifted in April," he said.

Council confirmed the delivery of granular activated carbon filters needed to remove the arsenic have arrived and repairs are being undertaken at the water treatment plant to install them.

The council initially issued the do-not-drink-alert for the treated supply in December last year, after high levels of arsenic were discovered in November.

The town has been forced to use bottled water for drinking, provided by the state government at a cost of $5000 per day.

Council said residents should be aware the bottled water distribution centre behind Foodworks Uralla will have different opening hours over the Easter long weekend.

The station will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but will open from 8am to midday on Saturday; and 8am to 4pm on Monday.

The council has asked residents to abide by social distancing rules during the COVID-19 pandemic; follow directions of council staff; and open their own car door or boot for water to be loaded in by workers.