In Queensland more than half of the state's water infrastructure is beyond its service life, but in the town of Hughenden, many residents have stopped drinking tap water entirely.
"They're choosing to buy water rather than drink out of the tap due to the smell, taste and colour," said Maree Christensen, who runs one of the town's grocery stores.
Families are paying upwards of $50 a week for bottled water because the town's water supply is discoloured and tastes foul — some locals have likened the smell and taste to pool water due to chlorine, with unpredictable levels of sediment sometimes leaving a grainy texture.
Photos supplied to 7.30 show the state of the town's tap water. (Supplied)
In Maree Christensen's store alone, locals are purchasing more than 800 litres of water a week.
"You have families come in and buy anywhere from four to six of the 10-litre [bottles] a week," Ms Christensen told 7.30.
Maree Christensen manages Hughenden's local grocer and sells more than 800 litres of water a week, and that's just the 10 litre bottles. (ABC News: Chris Gillette)
The water quality from the town's bore pipes has become so poor a local café has switched to operating solely off bottled water, including for its coffee machines.
One cafe in Hughenden's main street has switched to bottled water to avoid taste and maintenance issues. (ABC News: Chris Gillette)
It's a familiar story for Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle, who has spent years campaigning for funding to improve town water.
"There is some regard in communities where we are resilient and there are expectations that we're not going to have the same services as everybody else.
"I don't think water should be one of them."
The average service life for a bore drilled into the Great Artesian Basin is about 60 years, but most of those servicing Hughenden are well past that.
Kate Peddle has been lobbying for more funding to upgrade the town's water for years. (ABC News: Chris Gillette)
Mayor Peddle took 7.30 on a tour of one of the oldest bores, which is more than double that age, having been constructed in 1902.
