Report confirms drinking water across the Hastings is safe

THE region’s drinking water continues to meet health and safety standards, with Council noting strong performance across all water supply systems during the past financial year.

The Drinking Water and Recycled Water Reports for 2024-25, which assess water quality across five supply systems servicing Port Macquarie and Camden Haven, Wauchope, Comboyne, Telegraph Point and Long Flat, confirmed that safe drinking water was supplied throughout the year.

While a small number of guideline exceedances were recorded, the report said these were minor, investigated promptly, and managed operationally, with no impact on public health.

Most drinking water exceedances were related to high pH or low chlorine levels at low-use endpoints, particularly in parts of the Camden Haven system where water retention times are longer.

Council officers said these issues were managed through routine mains flushing and network improvements, which is expected to reduce water age once fully commissioned.

Customer complaints also fell significantly during the reporting period, dropping from 137 the previous year to 62 complaints, mainly related to taste, odour or dirty water following maintenance or supply disruptions.

Testing confirmed water quality remained compliant in all cases.

Recycled water performance was also reported as stable, with no health-related incidents recorded.

Testing for PFAS compounds was undertaken across all systems during the year.

Results confirmed water supplies remained well below national guideline limits.

By Matt TAYLOR