Cherbourg’s Water Woes: A Community’s Fight for Safe, Clean Drinking Water
For many Australians, the simple act of turning on a tap for a drink of water is a given. Yet, in the remote Aboriginal community of Cherbourg, located three hours north-west of Brisbane, this basic necessity has become a persistent struggle, impacting the health and daily lives of its 1,500 residents. The community has faced a recurring crisis with its water supply, forcing families to spend precious money on bottled water and, more alarmingly, leading to children missing school due to waterborne illnesses.
Samuel Little, a father of five, exemplifies the daily challenges faced. He estimates spending around $20 each week on bottled water, a significant expense for his family. Despite these efforts, his children are frequently unwell, suffering from ailments such as skin rashes and diarrhoea, directly attributed to the town’s water. “Every six months or so, there’s a bug going around the house,” Mr Little shared. “Even getting to school to have that basic education becomes a struggle due to their health concerns.”
The severity of the situation was starkly highlighted recently when, for nearly a month, Cherbourg residents were instructed to boil all water before consumption, including for preparing baby formula. This dire measure was necessitated by torrential rains that washed bacteria-laden topsoil from surrounding farms and septic systems into the narrow creek that serves as the community’s primary water source. The ageing 65-year-old water treatment plant, a relic from when the community was a government-controlled Aboriginal reserve, was simply overwhelmed. The result was a flow of unfiltered, contaminated water directly into homes, impacting every aspect of daily life, from cooking to bathing.
While most Australians would be unfamiliar with the need to boil water regularly, for the residents of Cherbourg, it has become an unfortunate norm, occurring with increasing frequency for at least the past three years. The promise of a new water treatment plant, announced 18 months ago by both state and federal governments with a $26 million funding allocation, has yet to materialise into construction.
The Vicious Cycle: Soft Drinks and Sickness
The impact of unreliable water quality extends beyond immediate sickness. Mark Nuttall, from the Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal & Islander Community Controlled Health Service, has observed a disturbing trend: locals resorting to excessive consumption of soft drinks to avoid drinking the contaminated town water. This, in turn, contributes to a host of other health issues.
Dr. Nuttall regularly treats patients of all ages for gastrointestinal problems and diabetes, conditions he directly links to the poor water quality and the subsequent reliance on sugary beverages. The most vulnerable, infants fed with formula prepared using contaminated water, face particularly acute risks.
The financial realities for Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council also present a unique hurdle. Unlike most local government areas that rely on property rates for infrastructure funding, Cherbourg Council owns most of the properties within the town, meaning it does not collect rates. This financial structure has made securing essential upgrades a protracted battle. Council CEO Chatur Zala explained that it took three years of persistent boil water notices before the state government finally approved his requests for a new treatment plant. “We should not [have to] go to this kind of extreme level when we ask for something,” Mr Zala stated, emphasising the fundamental nature of the request: “We are asking for a water treatment plant, which is a basic right.”
A spokesperson for Water Minister Ann Leahy has indicated progress, stating that the design for the new water treatment plant is nearing completion and is set to go to tender soon. Construction is anticipated to commence early this year, with the new plant expected to be operational by the end of the year.
A Glimmer of Hope: Atmospheric Water Generation
In the face of such protracted challenges, Cherbourg has embraced an innovative and emerging technology: atmospheric water generation (AWG). This technology harnesses moisture from the air, employing a dehumidifier to capture water vapour, which is then cooled into a liquid state, filtered, and dispensed as clean drinking water.
Over 20 AWG coolers have been installed across Cherbourg, strategically placed in key community locations including the health clinic, daycare centre, high school, aged care home, and the council office. The impact has been noticeable. Elvie Sandow, chair of Gundoo Daycare, and director Rhianon Insch-Watkins have reported a significant reduction in gastrointestinal and flu-like symptoms among the children since the AWG coolers were introduced. “I think that’s what’s saving us,” Ms Sandow commented, highlighting the positive shift in the children’s well-being.
Australian Innovation in Water Technology
The adoption of AWG in Cherbourg is part of a broader Australian effort to pioneer solutions for global water scarcity. Globally, the World Health Organisation reports that 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water.
Australian researchers are at the forefront of developing advanced AWG materials. Scientists at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have engineered a novel material, a blend of graphene oxide and calcium, which demonstrates a remarkable capacity to absorb approximately eight times more water than the commonly used silica gel. Professor Rakesh Joshi, who led the research team, indicated that discussions are underway with various companies interested in deploying this technology in remote communities both within Australia and internationally.
While AWG presents a promising avenue, Professor Joshi acknowledges its limitations. He cautions that it cannot entirely replace conventional water supply systems. A significant hurdle is the considerable energy required to heat moisture into vapour. However, he notes that the cost-effectiveness of AWG systems can be substantially improved through the integration of solar energy. Research assistant Xiaojun Ren expressed optimism about the future, stating, “I think it will be a really, really helpful technology with these efforts from all around the world.” The ongoing advancements in AWG technology offer a beacon of hope for communities like Cherbourg, striving for reliable access to safe and clean drinking water.
