Inquiry over bug in water

THE crime and corruption watchdog is probing claims Mount Isa City Council staff knew about an E. coli outbreak that may have killed residents.

The council at first denied there was an issue with the water but has since contacted authorities after further allegations were made of E. coli being present.

The council’s laboratory technician, Jo Hardie, claimed several staff knew the bacteria was in the city’s water supply, The North West Star reported.

Mount Isa Mayor Danielle Slade said the issue arose before she was elected this year.

She confirmed the Crime and Corruption Commission was investigating the claims staff knew of the bacteria being in the water supply.

Some strains of E. coli can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, inflammation of the gallbladder and can damage blood cells and cause kidneys to fail.

Elderly people, young children and people with underlying health issues are most at risk of contracting a severe disease from E. coli.

Ms Hardie claimed the presence of E. coli in the water may have led to deaths of people in Mount Isa.

Cr Slade said Reservoir 4 had been taken offline, drained, cleaned and made vermin proof.

The water tank will remain empty until tests clear it of the bacteria. It was isolated from the city’s water supply as a precautionary measure. “I want to assure Mount Isa that the reticulated water supply has no detected E. coli,” Cr Slade said.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the issue was being investigated.