GREEN ALERT – current as at 2 pm Friday 22 February 2019
Piangil Pump Station
Further laboratory testing of water samples show a reduction in Blue Green Algae levels at the Piangil Pump Station on the Murray River. We will continue to monitor Blue Green Algae levels as the Murray River’s Blue Green Algae levels are fluctuating and is a possibility of further alerts being issued.
For information on our 3-step scale to alert customers of Blue Green Algae levels please visit our website at www.gwmwater.org.au/using-lakes-and-reservoirs/algae-warnings.
Manangatang Township
The Manangatang Water Treatment plan has resumed normal operation now it can draw from the Murray River due to reduced Blue Green Algae levels.
The town’s water remains suitable for drinking and human consumption purposes.
We are pleased to advise Manangatang customers they may return to normal water usage outside the home in line with the Statewide Permanent Water Saving Rules. www.gwmwater.org.au/conserving-water/water-restrictions/permanent-water-saving-rules
We thank our Manangatang customers for their co-operation in reducing their water usage during the Amber Blue Green Algae alert.
Rural Customers
Rural customers may resume normal on-farm practices for domestic and stock purposes. This includes ensuring that water tanks are full and landholders to ensure properties continue to have three days on-farm storage in case of future Amber or Red Blue Green Algae alerts being issued. We remind customers that the Northern Mallee pipeline stock and domestic supplies are not fit for human consumption.
We will continue to monitor Blue Green Algae levels over the coming months and will keep our customers updated through this page and through our social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter).
GREEN STATUS – current as at 2 pm Friday 22 February 2019
Further laboratory testing of water samples show a reduction in Blue Green Algae levels at the Nyah Pump Station on the Murray River. We will continue to monitor Blue Green Algae levels in the Murray River as levels are fluctuating, with a possibility of further alerts being issued.
For information on our 3-step scale to alert customers of Blue Green Algae levels please visit our website at www.gwmwater.org.au/using-lakes-and-reservoirs/algae-warnings.
Rural customers may resume normal on-farm practices for domestic and stock purposes. This includes ensuring that water tanks are full and landholders to ensure properties continue to have three days on-farm storage in case of future Amber or Red Blue Green Algae alerts being issued. We remind customers that the Northern Mallee pipeline stock and domestic supplies are not fit for human consumption.
We will continue to monitor Blue Green Algae levels over the coming months and will keep our customers updated through this page and through our social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter).
GWMWater is warning the public to avoid direct contact with water in Lake Toolondo after monitoring detected levels of blue-green algae above levels considered safe for recreational use.
https://www.gwmwater.org.au/using-lakes-and-reservoirs/algae-warnings
In conjunction with the Horsham Rural City Council, GWMWater advise that the water channel bridge located on the intersection of Arnotts and Old Wartook Roads, Bungalally is only suitable for vehicles of up to 11 tonne limit gross until further notice.
For more information please click on the heading...
We are warning the public to avoid direct contact with water in Green Lake near Horsham after monitoring detected levels of blue green algae above levels considered safe for recreational use.
The Horsham Rural City Council has issued this notification https://www.hrcc.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/News-and-Media/Media-Releases/Green-Lake-closed-due-to-suspected-blue-green-algae
See here for more information on blue green algae or contact Horsham Rural City Council for information on Green Lake.
GWMWater is presently experiencing high rates of consumption by rural customers on the Northern Mallee and Wimmera Mallee Pipelines. High stocking rates, and summer weed control, necessitated by unseasonal December rainfall, have resulted in increased customer demand.
Rural customers are reminded that, as per the Rural Customer Charter, three-days’ of backup storage is required to help manage the risk of interruption to supply. This storage also helps to buffer demand over a 24-hour period, providing more consistent pressure and supply rates across the network.
A comprehensive On-Farm Water Reticulation Guide is available, providing practical and technical advice covering all aspects of a piped on-farm system. Download a copy from our website [link] or contact us on 1800 188 586 to get your free printed copy of the guide.
On Wednesday 9 January 2019 it was reported that crews will be in the sewers below Sidmouth (England) for months using hand tools and high-pressure cleaning equipment to break up and clear the fatberg, which is formed from congealed oil, fats and household items.
Fatbergs might be causing problems in the United Kingdom, but they're also an issue for water management authorities in Australia, including GWMWater.
This is what can be done about them. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-10/fatberg-how-to-remove-and-stop-them-building-up/10701656
Remember - Oils, fats and wipes block your pipes as well as ours. Please use the bin instead.
Agriculture Victoria is providing grants through their Drought Infrastructure Grant Program. These grants will assist farm businesses implement on-farm infrastructure (including water infrastructure) to improve dry seasonal conditions management and preparedness. Find out more https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/industry-programs/on-farm-drought-infrastructure-grant.
Regularly check Agriculture Victoria's website for workshops, advice, information and other services available at http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/drought/dry-seasons-support?utm_source=agriculture-vic-gov-au&utm_medium=vanity-url-301ssredirect&utm_content=dryseasons&utm_campaign=agriculture.
The Department of Health and Human Services has been notified of a number of cases of gastro (gastroenteritis) at holiday parks around Victoria, and remind holiday makers of preventative measures to minimise the spread of pathogens which cause gastro.
Should you require any further information or have any queries, please contact the DHHS on 1300 651 160 visit https://dhhs.vic.gov.au/
Members of the public are advised to avoid direct contact with water in Lake Marma at Murtoa after monitoring detected levels of blue green algae above levels considered safe for recreational use. For more information please refer to Yarriambiack Shire Council, or visit our Blue-Green Algae information page.
