Residents of Pioneer in north-east Tasmania are expected to pressure TasWater to address lead contamination in their water supply.
More than 50 people attended a meeting in the town last night where researchers from Macquarie University, Mark Taylor and Paul Harvey, presented a report linking elevated lead levels to ageing pipes.
Resident Tim Slade said he was alarmed that the highest reading in the town was 22mg above the health standard of 10mg a litre.
He said the problem came to light more than two years ago, and TasWater had only installed eight rainwater tanks to date as an alternative to town water.
“I don’t know, it’s almost a bit of a learned helplessness,” he said.
“It’s just, it’s almost mind-boggling that this has been allowed to occur and that every stage, you know, level of government has sat on their hands.”
Dorset councillor Max Hall said residents were worried about their health.
“There’s no doubt about that and it is a concern,” he said.
“I think [we need to] now take these reports back to TasWater and try and get some better answers from them and keep that pressure on.”
TasWater did not attend the meeting but a representative from the Department of Health was present.