Reports say the Queensland Government was alerted to water infrastructure woes in Yarrabah a year before contamination was discovered. 

Authorities appear to have been well aware of critical failures in the water treatment infrastructure for Australia's largest Aboriginal community a year before lead contamination was officially found. 

Elevated levels of lead were detected in schools, health facilities, and some homes within the Yarrabah community earlier this year.

Queensland Health pointed to corroded pipes or fittings as the likely culprits, leaching heavy metals into the water. They emphasised that levels were within the permissible range after flushing taps for thirty seconds.

The authorities maintain that there is no concrete evidence linking the drinking water to elevated lead levels in blood. 

Reports this week suggest the Queensland Government had been apprised of infrastructure issues before the toxic metal's presence was unearthed in the water supply.

The automatic pH system, which plays a pivotal role in regulating the acidity of the water supply, had allegedly been out of order for over a year prior to the discovery of heavy metals. 

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council had reported these concerns to the government regulator in July the previous year, highlighting corrosive water that failed the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. 

More details are accessible here.