Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Delivery, Rhett Duncan, said while the forecast was continuing to change as weather experts tracked the cyclone’s movement, crews are ready and prepared to respond 24/7.
“Severe wet weather events can have impacts on water and wastewater services, which is why Unitywater has taken measures to ensure we’re as prepared as we can be if it does track towards us or if we have a heavy rain event,” Mr Duncan said.
“We have proactive processes in place to make sure our network and our people are ready to respond safely and as quickly as possible,” he said.
“This includes rostering extra crew members over this weekend and into next week to prepare for any potential interruptions or repairs to the network, fuelling and checking essential equipment and making sure the reservoir levels are high.”
“Our Control Room operators, who manage the operation of our entire water and wastewater networks, are also monitoring our network around the clock to keep an eye on the hundreds of pump stations, thousands of kilometres of pipes and our 17 wastewater treatment plants across the region.”
Unitywater is encouraging the community to take some simple steps to prepare for any service interruptions and protect their properties.
Unitywater’s checklist to be prepared:
1. Make sure your contact details are up to date with Unitywater so they can contact you in case of an emergency. Update at any time through ‘My Account’ at www.unitywater.com
2. Your house has an overflow relief gully (or ORG) that is designed to prevent your house flooding with sewage. Take simple steps to make sure it’s ready for heavy rain – including making sure it’s not covered or blocked. Find out more at www.unitywater.com/check-your-org
3. If you spot a water leak or wastewater overflow, avoid contact with the sewage or dirty water and call Unitywater at any time of the day or night on 1300 086 489 so crews can respond as quickly as possible.
4. As power outages can also impact your water supply, set aside 10 litres of water per person for three days’ worth of washing, bathing and drinking, in case you lose water during this weather event. ‘Get Ready Queensland’ has a list of emergency kit items on their website, at https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/emergencykit
5. If you lose water during a weather event, check Unitywater’s Outage Map to see if your street is listed, and find out when water is expected to be back on at www.unitywater.com/outages
Read more tips on how to prepare at www.unitywater.com/wetweather
