Safe Water Training and a Taste Test Win: Highlights from the Weipa Symposium
Last week, five Water Officers and two Technical Officers proudly represented our region at the three-day Drinking Water Symposium in Weipa. Queensland Health delivered this important training as part of its “Safe & Healthy Drinking Water in Indigenous Local Governments” Program, which supports safe water practices across remote communities.
Over the three days, participants engaged in a mix of fieldwork, hands-on learning and professional networking. Highlights included site visits to the Napranum Water Supply Scheme and Weipa Water Treatment Plant, as well as a micro-credential course focused on the Practical Implications for Drinking Water Quality Management Plans (DWQMP).
Through this training, our officers deepened their understanding of how to safely operate and manage water supply systems. They also built skills to identify, assess and minimise risks—from source to tap—to ensure clean, safe drinking water reaches our communities.
Second place in the Water Taste Test Competition!
A special congratulations goes out to Ricky Houeix, who proudly entered a water sample from Mabuiag into the Symposium’s Water Taste Test Competition. After a tied first-place result in the initial round, a judging panel made the final call—Mabuiag placed second, just behind Napranum. This achievement reflects the outstanding efforts our water teams are making to maintain high-quality standards, often in very challenging conditions.
Well done to Ricky and the entire Engineering team at Mabuiag for their dedication and expertise! And a big eso to the admin team for their incredible support in organising the travel and logistics to make this trip a success.
Together, we’re building the skills, systems and partnerships needed to ensure safe, healthy drinking water for all our communities.
