CANBERRA, April 20 (Xinhua) — Indigenous residents of a remote Australian mining town are relying on bottled water to survive after lead was found in their normal supply.
The NT government on Thursday posted notices around Garawa advising residents not to drink, cook, or brush their teeth with water from the regular water supply.
It’s frightened people all over the region.
"Its a big concern, not only for the Garawa camps, but for all the clan groups."
"People are getting bottled water from the shop now."
Members of the Garawa community first expressed concerns that lead would be found in their drinking water in 2014 when it was revealed that Glencore’s lead-zinc mine on the nearby McArthur River had contaminated fish and up to 400 head of cattle.
Rory said the people of Garawa were more concerned about their own wellbeing than the source of the lead.
"We don’t know whether it’s coming from old pipes, or there’s lead in the water itself.
Those are the two options we are thinking about now," he said.
"I also want to see the little babies, who aren’t drinking only breast milk, and kids, from small to big, start getting tested."