General News
15 July, 2026
Water quality project nears end
A NEW water treatment plant that will service Ravenshoe and Millstream was undergoing final testing last week before it comes online, and it can’t come quick enough for locals who are tired of having Boil Water Notices issued by Tablelands Regional Council.
The new water treatment plant is part of the Ravenshoe and Millstream Water Quality Improvement Project which is one of the largest and most complex projects delivered by TRC at a cost of around $18 million.
The project will also provide almost 13km of new pipeline connecting Millstream to the Ravenshoe water supply scheme. It also included upgrades to the Millstream Reservoir facilities.
When operating at full functionality, the facility is expected to have an impressive daily treatment capacity of 2.779 megalitres and will consistently provide compliant fresh drinking water to the Ravenshoe and Millstream communities, averting the need for future Boil Water Notices.
Last week, a Boil Water Notice was put in place due to elevated turbidity in the Millstream River, one of many residents have had to endure over the last few years.
As part of the final testing phase for the treatment plant, a Boil Water Notice was also in place as a precautionary public health measure while the final verification testing was being completed.
The final testing phase assessed the performance of the entire water supply system under normal operating conditions. This included the treatment plant, the Monument Street reservoir, the Ravenshoe reticulation network, the pipeline to Millstream, the Millstream reservoirs and the Millstream reticulation network.
Throughout the testing period, cleaning and flushing of reservoirs and water mains were undertaken to help optimise water quality across the network.
