Tap water in the Yass Valley north of Canberra is still unsafe to drink seven days after the issue first came to light. Residents are being told they should boil the water before using it. The local treatment plant hasn't been upgraded in three decades and almost every time there's heavy rain, the quality of the tap water is compromised.
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00:00 Less than an hour from Canberra, residents of the Yass Valley don't have access to safe drinking water.
00:08 My husband joked that it was like being in a third world country right next to the nation's capital.
00:14 It's a main town and they should have water, they should have had water years ago.
00:18 It's an ongoing problem. Almost every time there's heavy rain and there's no long term solution in place, leaving local businesses out of pocket.
00:27 Our expenses have increased by anywhere between $50 to $150 per day due to the fact that we're now buying bottled water, bags of ice and having to buy soft drink cases as well.
00:39 But the Yass Valley Council claims it's not their place to foot that bill.
00:43 No, we don't provide rebates. Everybody who's in business as well also has a responsibility of ensuring that they're not causing a problem for their customers.
00:54 Forcing businesses like the local pub to navigate the murky waters alone.
00:59 I think that's a bit of a cop out, considering that having small businesses in town, places like the pub, this is our livelihood.
01:09 This town has been plagued by water issues for decades. The water treatment plant, built in the 1930s, hasn't been upgraded in more than 30 years.
01:18 To fix the problem long term, Yass Valley will require more funding from the NSW and federal governments.
01:24 If we had to upgrade the treatment plant and try to find $17, $18 million for the project, that would then go on to the ratepayers.
01:35 This is what the water here looks like today. And it's susceptibly clear.
01:39 It explains why some people are still drinking this water, unaware of a boil water alert seven days in.
01:45 The council says no pathogens have been found in the water, but they're not going to test for bacteria, leaving doctors concerned.
01:52 I would think that testing the water as extensively as possible, again in the interests of public safety, would be the sensible way to go.
01:59 As for when tap water may be safe enough to drink again, there's no real clarity.
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