Editing Mount Isa (section)

== Water infrastructure ==
[[File:Lake Moondarra Panorama.jpg|thumbnail|Panorama of Lake Moondarra from lookout above Transport Bay. July 2014. Mount Isa, Queensland.]]
Mount Isa's water is supplied from Lake Moondarra, {{convert|13|km|abbr=on}} from Mount Isa, and from [[Lake Julius]], {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}} from Mount Isa. As it costs approximately twice as much to supply water from Lake Julius, the water is normally drawn from Lake Moondarra. However, during periods of drought, it becomes necessary to draw water supplies from Lake Julius. The three major water users are the [[Mount Isa Mines]], [[Incitec Pivot]] and the [[Mount Isa City Council]] (which in turn supplies residents and smaller businesses).<ref name="water">{{cite web |title=Frequently asked questions |url=http://www.mountisawater.qld.gov.au/about_faqs.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006092317/http://www.mountisawater.qld.gov.au/about_faqs.php |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=4 October 2014 |publisher=Mount Isa Water Board |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Due to a prolonged drought, water levels in Lake Moondarra have become very low. In April 2013, it was forecast that Lake Moondarra would be reduced to 40% of capacity by July 2013, which would trigger the need to supply additional water from Lake Julius. The increased cost to the Mount Isa Council for water was estimated to be $800,000 per year ($114 each for 7000 households).<ref name="dry">{{cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Jasmine |date=10 April 2013 |title=Running dry |work=The North West Star |publisher=Fairfax Regional Media |url=http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/1423284/running-dry/ |access-date=4 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004213136/http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/1423284/running-dry/ |archive-date=4 October 2014}}</ref> Water restrictions in the town were escalated in April 2013 to reduce water consumption.<ref>{{cite web |title=Level 2 Water Restrictions |url=http://www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/home/-/asset_publisher/J9kY/content/level-2-water-restrictions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122617/http://www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/home/-/asset_publisher/J9kY/content/level-2-water-restrictions |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=4 October 2014 |publisher=Mount Isa City Council |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Boating on Lake Moondarra would be restricted if water levels reduced to 20% for safety reasons as the lower water levels would reveal obstructions.<ref name="dry" /> The fish in the lake will be at risk if Lake Moondarra falls to 10% capacity.<ref name="fishdie">{{cite news |last1=Stephens |first1=Kate |date=4 February 2014 |title=Drought threatens Lake Moondarra barra supplies |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-04/lake-moondarra-barra-supplies-all-right-for-now/5236922 |url-status=live |access-date=4 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008025541/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-04/lake-moondarra-barra-supplies-all-right-for-now/5236922 |archive-date=8 October 2014 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Water has traditionally been processed using a natural filtration process involving reed beds in a large isolated lagoon, which, after disinfecting, produced water to acceptable standards under the [[Australian Drinking Water Guidelines]].<ref name="water" /> However, the prolonged drought has produced climatic conditions that have caused blooms of [[blue-green algae]] in Lake Moondarra, Lake Julius and the Clear Water Lagoon, necessitating the temporary introduction of a large filtration plant to remove the algae.<ref name="water" />