Catchment Management and Water Storage

Within the Cassowary Coast Region we have a network of Reservoirs, Water Treatment Plants, Water Supply Lines and more which forms the Cassowary Coast Regional Council Water Grid.  Clean, safe drinking water is something many of us take for granted – but behind every drop is a big process.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council supplies water to over 12,500 properties across almost 5,000 square kilometres. Every day, we deliver around 2,500 megalitres of clean water from nature to homes, businesses, and schools through a large network of pipes, pumps, reservoirs, and treatment systems.

Our Water Infrastructure

To supply clean water to our community, Council manages:

  • 31 water reservoirs
  • 13 water pumping stations
  • 9 chlorination stations
  • 830 kilometres of water mains

Maintaining this network is one of Council’s biggest responsibilities – and one of the largest costs to the community. In 2025-2056, Council spent $47 million on water and wastewater services.

Water is collected from four main creeks and rivers across the region and stored in reservoirs (large water tanks) before being pumped through our pipe network to your taps.

Because the Cassowary Coast includes everything from coastal areas to rainforest, each water supply system is different. Here’s a summary of each area's network:

Innisfail Water Supply Scheme

The largest scheme in our region, the Innisfail Water Supply Scheme services over 6,000 properties. This is the only scheme with a full Water Treatment Plant, ensuring high levels of filtration and quality control.

Catchment: Sourced from the North Johnstone River.

Process:

  1. Water is pumped and filtered through the Innisfail Water Treatment Plant.
  2. Treated water is stored in the 4.5ML Stoters Reservoir.
  3. Water is reticulated via a network of reservoirs and towers to Innisfail, Garradunga, Wangan, Mena Creek, Mourilyan, Jubilee Heights and Flying Fish Point.

 

Nyleta Water Supply Network

Serving around 2,000 properties, this network covers Silkwood to Kurrimine Beach, as well as Bingil Bay and North Mission Beach.

Catchment:  Sourced from Nyleta Creek and South Liverpool Creek.

Process:

  1. Gravity-fed from Nyleta Creek and South Liverpool Creek, screened and disinfected.
  2. Stored in the Nyleta Head Reservoir and chlorinated at Number Four Branch.
  3. Pumped to the Bay Hill Reservoir, Bingil Bay Reservoir and Fenby Gap Reservoirs for distribution at the key localities. 

 

Tully Water Supply Network

The Tully Water Supply Network is one of our most complex systems, with dual intakes and interconnection capabilities for backup supply across multiple townships. The system is specifically designed to reduce boil water alerts, even during wet weather, ensuring clean water is always available.

Catchments:

  • Boulder Creek
  • Bulgun Creek

Process:

  1. Water is filtered and disinfected at Boulder Chlorinator and Bulgun Head Reservoir.  Both sources are tested to ensure they meet water quality standards. If turbid, system switches to Bulgun Creek via interconnecting pipelines.
  2. Treated water stored in Hyatt St Reservoir (5.25ML) and other local reservoirs such as Wheatley’s Reservoir.
  3. This water is then pumped to Tully and surrounding areas, including Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach, Hull Heads, Tully Heads and Lower Tully.

 

Cardwell Water Network

The Cardwell Water Network supplies 1,000 properties from Meunga Creek to Kennedy.

Catchment: Meunga Creek, with backup from the Kennedy Bore on Ellerbeck Road.

Process:

  1. Gravity-fed water screened and disinfected at Sullivans Rd Chlorinator.
  2. Treated water is stored in Cardwell Reservoir and other smaller reservoirs around the area.
  3. Water is pumped to Cardwell and surrounding areas including Port Hinchinbrook and Stoney Creek.

 

Need Help?

If you have questions about water storage and supply in the Cassowary Coast or need help with your water service, we’re here to help! Contact us via:

 

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