A state of emergency was declared when the seriousness of the Karragarra Island water main break was finally revealed.
A situation of a ‘few hours’ disruption, extended to ‘maybe afew days’ after SEQ Water engineers got to the source of the break.
The situation was difficult to unravel because of the man-made lake that formed on Karra after the main SEQ Water line that connects from North Stradbroke Island to Karragarra Island was broken.
The break saw water cut off to Karragarra, Macleay and Lamb Islands.
Russell Island was not affected.
The break initially sent a fountain of water into the air well above tree height.
It took nearly 24 hours before the source of the problem could be found.
When it was revealed how serious the situation had become, Redland City Council declared a State of Emergency.
It made bottled water available for free at various points on all three islands.
The situation became so serious that SEQ water and Redland City Council advised all residents of Karragarra Island, Macleay Island and Lamb Island to boil their tap water used for drinking following a burst water main.
The break was so serious that it meant that groundwater may have infiltrated the treated water.
Fortunately, the problem was resolved soon rather than later with water back on to the islands early on the second day of the event.
• Water bubbling into the man made lake caused by the water line breakage.