THERE is no end in sight for Tenterfield residents who will have to continue boiling water because of this week's bushfires that have compounded problems with water supplies.
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Council issued another safety alert on Thursday afternoon confirming the boiling of town water would continue until further notice because of the poor quality in the town's storage.
A spokesperson said the current poor raw water quality is being caused by run-off of ash deposits during the recent rain event.
"[It] is being compounded by the continuation of grass fires to the west of Tenterfield [on Wednesday], combined with the strong westerly winds depositing dust and ash over the surface of the Tenterfield Dam," council said.
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"Any further rainfall and wind will continue to affect the water quality."
Council's approved water carriers have also been notified because residents who received a water delivery will also need to boil water.
"Council is working closely with NSW Health and DPIE Water to ensure water is of appropriate quality for the residents of Tenterfield", Mayor Peter Petty said.
"Councillors and staff are very aware of the impost this has created for our community as we and our families, are part of the community and share with you in this plight.
"We ask that you continue to respect this alert and be particularly mindful of the potential affect unboiled drinking water may have on the elderly and the very young."
Council said daily measuring of the turbidity of the water shows a change on a daily basis but the water boil alert needed to remain for safety reasons.
"Unfortunately, council's filtration plant cannot filter out all the miniscule particles of ash and they clump together in the water with the risk of bacteria becoming lodged between the particles and the chlorine unable to access and destroy them," the spokesperson said in an alert to residents.
As previously advised, water used for drinking or food preparation should be brought to a rolling boil to make it safe.
Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated.
Bottled water or cool boiled water should be used for drinking, washing uncooked food (e.g. salad vegetables and fruit), making ice, cleaning teeth, gargling and pet's drinking water.
Council also advised that dishes should be washed in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher. Children should take bottled water or cool boiled water to school.
