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Despite the return of wet season rains, no date has been set yet for the removal of Katherine’s water restrictions.
Some residents have told Katherine Times they should stay.
When the NT Government introduced the emergency measure in August, several Ministers promised they would be reviewed in November.
Residents are also being told they will have to brace themselves for the return of restrictions next dry season.
Authorities are not expecting any long-term fix for the town’s drinking water problems for at least two years which means the same rescue as applied this year will have to continue.
People will have to use less water so the existing water treatment plant can cope with the PFAS contamination levels in bore supplies.
A Power and Water spokeswoman said no date has been set yet for the lifting of restrictions.
Katherine residents managed to reduce their water use by about 20 per cent during the critical months of September and October which meant authorities did not to have use the contaminated bore supply.
Water restrictions began in Katherine in August.
They are believed to have been the first town-wide restrictions introduced anywhere in Australia because of PFAS contamination.
Katherine has had well above average rainfall this November.
Meanwhile, Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson today commented on Federal government moves to extend blood testing, mental health services and other health support to more residents surrounding the RAAF Base at Williamtown in NSW.
“This is the same government that has so far refused to provide the same support to Katherine residents despite calls from the NT Government,” Ms Nelson said.
“Defence is conducting the same environmental investigation in the Katherine region. But Katherine is yet to be included in the National Epidemiological Study.
“This is simply not good enough.
“Katherine residents deserve the same access to the same services that have been provided to other jurisdictions affected by PFAS.
“While I empathise and sympathise with residents in other jurisdictions that have been affected by PFAS contamination – Katherine is the only jurisdiction that has recorded traces of PFAS in the groundwater supply which has affected 10,000 residents.
“I have written, again, to the federal Minister for Health – Greg Hunt, urging him to act immediately and expediently to provide Katherine residents with access to the same level of support that has been provided to the residents of Williamtown.”