By JONATHON HOWARD
A MYSTERIOUS black ash-like substance flowing from taps in Killarney has residents fuming as they seek answers from the Southern Downs Regional Council.
Robert and Patricia Conway live on Pine St and since December last year they have noticed a sooty substance flowing periodically from their household taps.
Mrs Conway said the substance had appeared at least four times since December, with the most recent occurrence last month.
“When you turn the tap on you get a sudden burst of this peppery substance before the water begins to flow,” she said.
“It’s concerning because we spoke to our neighbours and had a look at their taps and sure enough there was the same black material accumulating around the rim of the tap.”
The couple approached the council with their concerns but said they were left unsatisfied by the response.
“We spoke with one of the council engineers, Mick Lambert, who said the water was fine despite the pH level being a little high,” she said.
“But he couldn’t tell us what it was.”
The couple was now seeking answers to determine whether the substance is having an impact on residents’ health.
“We were going to get the substance tested ourselves,” Mrs Conway said.
“But the cost was $1000 minimum and we really can’t afford it.”
The family is now calling on council to identify the substance and inform the community.
“We have a right to know what this substance is – regardless if it’s safe or not,” Mrs Conway said.
Mr Conway said he was also confused as to how the substance was able to get through the Killarney water filtration system.
Killarney’s water supply is currently bore water and is filtered through a council operated filtration system.
Council were contacted for comment and were investigating, but were unable to supply a response before the print deadline.
