Mount Isa Water Board (MIWB) was established in 1974 and is responsible for the supply of quality bulk water to industrial customers and Mount Isa City Council.

MIWB is also trustee for the city’s largest water and recreation reserve, Lake Moondarra, which provides a wildlife sanctuary and popular leisure and water sport venue for the people of Mount Isa.

MIWB, a Category One Water Authority and registered Service Provider, was established under Chapter 4 of the Water Act 2000 and operates as a commercialised statutory authority, carrying out water activities in the State of Queensland.

The Board, which is made up of four directors (two elected representatives each from Mount Isa City Council and Mount Isa Mines (MIM)) and a chairperson (a representative from the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM)), undertakes the following water activities as decided on by the board of directors in accordance with the requirements of the Water Act 2000:

• conserve, store and supply water in bulk to local authorities and industrial customers;
• take measures to protect the quantity and quality of present and future supplies of water;
• investigate and plan for future infrastructure requirements;
• construct, operate and maintain water infrastructure necessary to meet customer demands; and
• administer and manage property under its control.

In addition, the MIWB acts as Trustee for the Water and Recreation Reserve R48 and in that role it provides, operates, protects and maintains recreational facilities. Whilst not being a core business of the MIWB the Board took on the role of Trustee of the reserve at the request of the former Department of Natural Resources Mines and Energy, now DERM. The role will assist in ensuring the maintenance of satisfactory water quality standards.

The number of customers currently served by the Board is not anticipated to change in the foreseeable future. The Board’s present customers include:

• Mount Isa City Council (MICC)
• Mount Isa Mines (MIM)
• Incitec Pivot

All customers are supplied with bulk water of a standard consistent with the Board’s water quality policy.