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Community & Development /  Infrastructure & Waste /  Water Treatment and Supply

Water Treatment and Supply

Potable Water Supply

Hamilton Island caters to a variable population of up to 5,000 people in peak times throughout the year. The island’s water consumption is approximately 1.4 to 1.8 megalitres per day depending on the occupancy.
 
Hamilton Island’s potable water supply predominantly comes from four dams situated on the southern end of the island. The water is converted into potable drinking water using a combination of water treatment plants:

  • a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) treatment plant,
  • a Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis plant (BWRO), and
  • a Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant, used as a redundancy water treatment and supply option.

Water Recycling & Sustainable Use

 Hamilton Island has an Activated Sludge Extended Aeration Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP). The sewerage is transferred over to the STP via a network of pump stations and pipework. A-grade treated effluent is produced from the STP, which is used to irrigate lawns and gardens throughout the island. Hamilton Island produces approximately 1 megalitre of recycled water daily for this purpose.
 
Rainwater tanks and pool backwash recovery tanks are encouraged to be installed in all private properties to help with water saving measures.

If you would like to conduct Minor works such as the installation of rainwater tanks, you will first need to obtain approval from HIE. Please see the Building & Planning Approval page for more information.

Infrastructure upgrades

 During 2019-2020, Hamilton Island Enterprises Limited invested $4.5 million into extensive upgrades to the water treatment plants to ensure increased capacity and security against water shortages. The Queensland Government contributed to the cost of the upgrades via their Resort Rejuvenation Fund grant initiative program.

Policies

 Connnection to the HIE Water, Gas and Sewer Network Policy
 Drinking Water Customer Service Standard

 Complaints Management Policy
 Customer Hardship Policy
 Family Violence Policy