There are plans for a new water bubbler to be installed on Pilbeam Drive and for the water tank at the Saddle on Mount Archer to be removed.
Mayor Margaret Strelow said it was disappointing to have to remove the tank, but that Council didn't have a choice.
"The Saddle water tank was originally installed back in 2016 for temporary usage at events," said Mayor Strelow
"A decision was made in December 2016 to see if it would be possible for Council to keep the tank full and accessible in the longer term, which we have tried for a couple of years.
"Unfortunately, maintaining the water standards has proven very difficult.
"The quality of water inside pipes deteriorates in a matter of days, so much so that the water that goes through four pump stations to reach the top of the mountain has to be treated again at the top.
"This means we can't just tap off from the pipes running up the mountain as the water isn't safe to drink at that point."
Mayor Strelow said Council engineers had explored numerous options to try and keep the water in the tank safe.
"We have a great team of experts who have tried lots of different ways of treating the water in the tank, but there is no way of ensuring that the water remains safe to drink without creating the potential for chemical overdosing and taste and odour problems.
"As we are unable to guarantee the water quality of the Saddle tank we just cannot continue to allow public access to the tank."
Mayor Strelow said a new water bubbler would be installed at the base of the mountain, and that temporary solutions would be in place for events.
"We absolutely want to ensure those using the mountain have access to clean and safe drinking water.
"We are planning to install a new water bubbler at the base of the mountain, which will be close enough to the main water supply to ensure its quality.
"The taps at the top of Mount Archer will also remain, as that water has been treated.
"For events, we will organise a temporary water trailer filled with high quality and safe drinking water.
"We will keep looking at ways we can get drinking water half way up the mountain, and have asked officers to bring a report back to Council on this.
"However, access to the water in the tank will be removed immediately. We understand this will be disappointing to many, but as a registered water supplier we simply cannot knowingly provide drinking water to the public which isn't safe."
Council, through Fitzroy River Water, has a legal obligation to ensure all drinking water meets the standards set out in our Drinking Water Quality Management Plan, which is based on the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
