Got a query?
Top five queries
- What assistance is available to help me with my water bills?
We understand that sometimes life gets tricky and you might be struggling with your water bills. If you’re struggling, get it touch with us as soon as possible and we can help you with initiatives such as:
- Payment arrangements
- Applying for concessions
- GWMWater Customer Support Program
- Utility Relief Grant Scheme
- Rebate Scheme
Find out more about concessions and grants or call us for a confidential discussion on 1300 659 961.
- What is allowed at GWMWater lakes and reservoirs?
Our lakes and reservoirs are not only sources of water, but also community areas for recreation and relaxation.
Lakes and reservoirs have different restrictions that you need to be aware of.
- What are the current water restrictions in my area?
All Victorian towns are under Permanent Water Savings Rules when staged water restrictions aren’t in place.
- How can I use water wisely?
There’s a number of simple adjustments you can make to your everyday life in order to use water wisely.
- Do I need permission from GWMWater to fill my pool?
You don’t need GWMWater’s permission to fill your pool, as long as you’re abiding by current water restrictions.
Outages and water quality alerts
Ararat Standpipe - Out of service
Reason: Out of Order
Starting: 9 am, 16 January 2026
Finishing: Noon, 16 January 2026
This standpipe will be offline during this time.
Read more
Charlton Standpipe - Out of service
Reason: Out of Order
Starting: 1 pm, 19 December 2025
This standpipe is out of service until further notice.
Read moreBlue-green algae warnings
Nyah Pump Station and surrounding area
Last update
Starting: 5 pm, 16 December 2025
Reason: Blue-Green Algae
*** Pumps remain on – no change to supply ***
AMBER ALERT
Laboratory testing of water samples continues to indicate that blue-green algae levels have increased at the Nyah Pump Station, which pumps from the Murray River.
Water delivered by the Nyah Pump Station is still safe to use and is below the blue-green algae limit recommended for recreation purposes.
Urban customers
This Amber Alert does not affect urban water supplies in Chillingollah, Chinkapook or Waitchie.
Rural customers
Rural stock and domestic customers will continue to be supplied from the Nyah Pump Station. We strongly recommend rural customers fill all on-farm tanks now in anticipation of a status Red Alert being issued.
Customers are reminded that your rural water supply is not safe for drinking. Water can be used for household activities, such as watering gardens, flushing toilets, showering/bathing, irrigation and laundry.
We will send an SMS to customers on the Nyah Pump Station system, who have provided us with their mobile phone details, when water quality results indicate a change of alert in our three step blue-green algae scale listed below.
For information or advice on stock related issues:
1800 675 88 - Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (EAD Hotline)
13 61 86 - Agriculture Victoria
www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
We are continuing to monitor this situation and have activated our Blue-Green Algae Management Plan.
We will provide further updates as the situation changes.
Read moreWimmera-Mallee Supply System 5 – Pental Island Pump Station – Blue-Green Algae
Last update
Starting: 3 pm, 17 December 2025
Reason: Blue-Green Algae
AMBER ALERT
Laboratory testing of water samples indicate elevated blue-green algae levels at the Pental Island Pump Station, which pumps from the Murray River.
Water delivered by the Pental Island Pump Station is safe to use and is presently below the limit recommended for recreational use.
This Amber Alert does not affect urban water supplies or customers in Berriwillock, Culgoa, Lalbert, Nullawil, Quambatook and Ultima.
Sea Lake township
Sea Lake receives a treated drinking water supply from Lake Bellfield. This Amber Alert does not affect Sea Lake urban customers.
Rural customers
Rural stock and domestic customers will continue to be supplied from the Pental Island Pump Station. Rural customers must ensure they have sufficient on-farm storage capacity to maintain three days’ water supply.
Customers are reminded that your rural water supply is not safe for drinking. Water can be used for household activities, such as watering gardens, flushing toilets, showering/bathing, irrigation and laundry.
For information or advice on stock related issues:
1800 675 88 - Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (EAD Hotline)
13 61 86 - Agriculture Victoria
www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
We are continuing to monitor this situation and have activated our Blue-Green Algae Management Plan.
We will provide updates to this page when the situation changes.
Read morePiangil Pump Station – Blue-Green Algae Update
Last update
Starting: 3 pm, 23 December 2025
Reason: Blue-Green Algae
GREEN
Further laboratory testing of water samples show a reduction in blue-green algae levels at the Piangil Pump Station on the Murray River.
Manangatang customers may now return to normal outside water use in-line with state-wide Permanent Water Saving Rules. For more information on these rules visit gwmwater.org.au/pwsr
Rural customers can continue normal on-farm practices for domestic and stock purposes. This includes ensuring that water tanks are full and properties continue to have three days’ on-farm water storage in case of future blue-green algae alerts being issued. We remind customers that rural pipeline stock and domestic water supplies are not safe to drink.
We will continue to monitor the Piangil Pump Station offtake at the Murray River over the coming months due to fluctuation in blue-green algae levels. If there are further blue-green algae alerts issued, we will update this page. We will also let customers know by SMS message where we have mobile phone numbers.
Publish End Date - 6 January 2026
Read moreLake Toolondo
LAST UPDATEDLake Toolondo is an off-stream reservoir famous for its great trout fishing and is a popular recreational destination in the region.
Supplied by its own small catchment from Mt Talbot Creek, the lake stores a lot of 'dead water'. This means that water in Lake Toolondo doesn't flow through to another source; it can only be pumped out. The lake is reliant on transfers from Rocklands Reservoir.
Be sure to play it safe around water.
Read our information signage before entering the water.
Visit Safe Transport Victoria for a range of resources on water safety: https://safetransport.vic.gov.au/on-the-water/
How to contact us
Where to find us
In person
Corporate Office11 McLachlan StreetHorsham Victoria
By post
PO Box 481Horsham Vic 3402
