Boil Water Alert Remains for Greater Darwin After Dam Flooding Incident

Darwin and its surrounding areas, including Palmerston, Katherine, Wugularr (Beswick), and Tindal, are under a precautionary boil water alert. This alert follows the flooding of the Darwin River Dam's main pump station on Monday, January 29, which led to the shutdown of the dam's primary water pumps. While water conservation directives have been lifted due to significant progress in restoring the water supply system, the boil water alert remains in effect as a precautionary measure, pending further water quality testing.

Dam Flooding and Pump Station Shutdown

The Darwin River Dam, which supplies approximately 85% of drinking water for Greater Darwin's 150,000 residents, reached over 110 percent capacity due to a heavy wet season and severe thunderstorms. On Monday at approximately 4:30 PM, heavy rainfall and flash flooding overwhelmed the dam's pump station and associated equipment. Protection systems activated, shutting off the pumps to prevent damage.

Boil Water Alert and Health Advisory

The Northern Territory (NT) Health department issued the boil water alert, which applied from midday on Tuesday, January 30. The alert is a precautionary measure due to concerns about potential contamination of activated bore fields at McMinns Lagoon and Howard River. These bore fields are located near residences with septic tanks, and the significant water flow from the wet season raised the possibility of microorganisms or bacteria, such as E. coli, entering the supply.

Chief Health Officer Paul Burgess stated that while the health risks of drinking unboiled water from the current supply are low, they are not zero, citing potential for diarrhea-causing agents. He noted that the backup bore water supply now flowing through taps requires boiling before home use.

Residents are advised to use cooled boiled water or bottled water for:

• Drinking
• Preparing food and baby formula
• Brushing teeth

For boiling, water should reach a full rolling boil, producing a continuous and rapid stream of air bubbles. Unboiled tap water can still be used for washing dishes and clothes, bathing, and other household tasks, provided the water is not swallowed. For young children, sponge bathing is recommended as a precaution. Home water filters, including those in fridges or jugs, are generally not considered sufficient, but quick boil water taps in office buildings are deemed safe. Filtration tablets are recommended only if boiling is not possible.

The duration of the alert is currently unknown, with authorities indicating it will remain in effect until the Power and Water Corporation (PWC) confirms the water supply system is fully operational and the water is deemed safe. Water sample test results are pending. Local supermarkets have reported depleted stocks of bottled water, with some shops imposing purchase limits. The reopening of the Stuart Highway is anticipated to help alleviate bottled water supply issues.

Water Supply and Restoration Efforts

Following the pump station shutdown, PWC increased water supply from its bore fields in rural areas to supplement Darwin's water supply. Initially, tap water appeared discolored and had reduced pressure, and water consumption did not decrease sufficiently despite initial requests for reduction. This led PWC to implement additional contingency measures, including changes in water direction and further reduced pressure.

Restoration efforts have made significant progress:

• PWC crews worked onsite, utilizing backup generators to restore operations.
• Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan confirmed that a backup generator successfully restarted one pump.
• By Wednesday afternoon, a second pump was successfully connected.
• PWC acting chief executive John Pease stated that with two pumps operational, the water output is now sufficient to exceed average consumption levels during the wet season.
• Crews constructed a 3-kilometer gravel road to facilitate equipment transport, despite an initial incident where a trailer became bogged. An on-site repaired generator was used to connect the second pump.
• Work continues on repairing the road to allow for more backup generators and to fix the four primary pumps at the dam.

PWC initially anticipated the primary pumping system would be restored within 48 hours of the initial incident, but work on the remaining primary pumps is ongoing. Due to the restoration progress, the directive for residents to conserve water has been lifted.

Wider Flood Impacts and Emergency Response

Beyond the water supply disruption, the severe thunderstorms on Monday caused significant disruption in Darwin's rural outskirts. Multiple roads were closed or impassable, and authorities advised drivers to monitor road reports.

The NT Emergency Service responded to several incidents related to flash flooding, including:

• Two vehicles swept off roadways.
• Three residences in Tumbling Waters, Berry Springs, and Livingston where occupants were isolated by floodwaters. All individuals were rescued without reported injuries.
• Approximately 20 properties in Darwin's rural area sustained severe damage, with some residents reporting extensive losses. One incident involved a woman and her four children requiring rescue from their home's roof.

Jake Elsgood, a resident in the Darwin River area, reported rapidly rising floodwaters on Monday morning, leaving no time for preparation. He, his pregnant wife Jasmine, and their two-year-old daughter became trapped on their property and were eventually assisted by a neighbor after a reported wait for emergency services. Mr. Elsgood stated all belongings were lost, and they lack insurance.

Incident Controller Acting Commander Emma Carter confirmed adequate flood alerts and severe storm warnings were issued for the Darwin River area via Secure NT, social media, and ABC. She noted that some residents needing assistance were helped by community members rather than contacting emergency services directly.

Widespread flooding also affected other areas across the Northern Territory, including Katherine, Beswick, and Daly River. The Bureau of Meteorology indicated that conditions are improving, with the risk of similar severe weather reducing. Further south, around Adelaide River, minor flooding is possible following 115 millimeters of rain recorded within three hours, with residents advised to prepare for potential river rises above the minor flood level.