Sonar helps plug Island's critical water leak
By MATT NICHOLLS
THURSDAY Island was in danger of running out of fresh water in June and only a slice of good luck stopped a disaster from occurring in the Torres Strait.
The region’s most populated island only carries about a week’s worth of water at any given time and relies on a pipeline from Horn Island to replenish stocks.
That pipeline sprung a leak in mid-June and some good fortune at the time prevented the issue from escalating.
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said state-of-the-art sonar averted a potential fresh water supply crisis for Thursday Island residents.
She said the pipeline leak was quickly found when a Maritime Safety Queensland hydrographic survey ship helped out.
“Thursday Island normally has about one week’s fresh water supply, which is backed up by supply pumped from Horn Island via an underwater pipeline,” Ms Lui said.
“That pipeline sprung a leak, so you can imagine how challenging it could have been to find a leak in a water pipe which is already under water and sand.
“Luckily for Thursday Island residents, Maritime Safety Queensland’s hydrographic survey ship QG Norfolk was on an annual mapping patrol mid-June and heard about the problem.
“Working with Torres Shire Council, the crew conducted a seabed survey along the length of the underwater pipeline from Horn Island to Thursday Island.
“Amazingly, the ship’s crew was able to use a multibeam sounder to identify a suspicious sand mound and scouring about 500 metres off the north-eastern point of Thursday Island.”
The ship’s survey results and images were reported to the council, which quickly organised divers. The divers had found the leak, about a metre under the seabed, and carried out repairs.
Torres Shire mayor Vonda Malone said it appeared the pipeline was leaking, threatening Thursday Island’s water supply, but council could not determine exactly where the leak was, to be able to fix it.
“This situation was understandably causing distress among Thursday Island residents, who needed some assurance that their water supply was secure, as water on our islands is a precious commodity,” Cr Malone said.
Ms Lui said the QG Norfolk voyaged north annually to check depths and dimensions of navigation channels.
“This was a great example of the state and local governments combining resources to support our community in a time of need, so well done to everyone involved in what could have been a very tricky and troubling situation,” the MP said.
