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Ace Press News From Cutting Room Floor: Published: May.01: 2023:
#AceNewsDesk - Aboriginal community of Laramba feels safe to drink tap water now uranium levels are within guidelines
The Laramba community is celebrating having reliable drinking water, after years of lobbying.(ABC Alice Springs: Charmayne Allison)none
Men, women and children yell "kwatye mwarre" in unison, holding up recycled bottles of crystal-clear water...........It means "water good" in Arrernte.
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For the first time in a long time locals feel safe to think their tap water.
To most, this would be a necessity taken for granted, but to this community it is a luxury.
"It's a spring water taste and it's pretty good," Anmatjere man Ron Hagan said, taking a drink.
"It's just like what you get from the shops."
Residents say the water is clear and tastes pure for the first time.(ABC Alice Springs: Charmayne Allison)none
Uranium almost triple the recommended levels
Laramba is a tiny desert community of 300, more than two hours north-west of Alice Springs.
Since 2008, residents have known their bore water contained naturally occurring uranium.
Results showed uranium levels in the town reached up to 0.055mg/L – almost triple what is recommended by the Australian drinking water guidelines.
"People started worrying. They were a bit scared about the water," Mr Hagan said.
Some residents feared it was contributing to renal disease, with local doctors also expressing concerns about the long-term effects.
However, NT Health said research into uranium's health impacts on humans was "limited and inconclusive".The water treatment plant will ensure safe drinking water for the Laramba community.(ABC Alice Springs: Charmayne Allison)none
New plant purifies drinking water
This week the community's fears have come to an end, with the NT government officially opening a new $6.8 million water treatment plant for the town.
Designed by water treatment company Clean TeQ, the plant uses an ion-exchange resin process to purify the water............Already, uranium levels in the town have plummeted and are now almost undetectable.
An official launch was held this week, with more than 30 community members attending.
Central Desert Regional Council chief executive Leslie Manda said the big turnout was a testament to how excited the residents were.Mr Manda says the council has been advocating for better quality drinking water in Laramba.(ABC Alice Springs: Charmayne Allison)none
Other communities impacted by water risks
The council has been lobbying for years for the NT government to urgently treat Laramba's water.
Since May last year, council workers have been distributing free boxed water provided by NT Health to residents.
"Residents were saying they were turning to soft drinks on occasion, especially if they had no alternative water supply," Mr Manda said.
"That was part of the push for the advocacy from us to distribute some of the bottled water."Uranium levels have already plummeted and are now almost undetectable.(ABC Alice Springs: Charmayne Allison)none
According to a recent water quality report from NT Power and Water, Laramba is not alone.
Nine other remote communities have tap water with levels of uranium, manganese and fluoride that surpass guidelines.
However, NT Power and Water said it was committed to providing safe, secure and sustainable water to all Territorians, regardless of where they lived.
"We will continue to work with communities to respond to their needs, including investing in research and technology where appropriate," a spokesperson said.Ron Hagan says the community has been concerned about drinking the water.(ABC Alice Springs: Charmayne Allison)none
Hope for Laramba's future
Sitting on his verandah, Mr Hagan sips from a glass of water.
While he has continued to drink water from his tap throughout the years, he has always felt uneasy about how it might be affecting his health.
But now, at last, he feels at peace...............Holding up his glass, he proudly points out how clear the water is, how sweet it tastes.
And already, he feels better about the future of his community.
"Everybody's so happy," he said. "I think it certainly might give us a bit of a longer life."
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