Nyah Pump Station and surrounding area
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.
Wimmera-Mallee Supply System 5 – Pental Island Pump Station – Blue-Green Algae
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.
Piangil Pump Station – Blue-Green Algae Update
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
Algal Alert Level Definitions
GWMWater uses the following 3-step scale to alert customers of blue-green algae levels:
Red
>4.0 mm3/L
Blue-green algae is present at high concentrations (bloom conditions) that may pose human health risks.
Water is non-potable (not drinkable), unless treated by a Water Treatment Plant which is designed to treat algae, and is not suitable for domestic or recreational use.
What should I do?
Rural pipeline customers are advised to seek veterinary advice prior to watering stock during a red alert.
Amber
0.6—4.0 mm3/L
Blue-green algae is present in the water at concentrations that may pose human health risks.
Water is non-potable (not drinkable), unless it is treated through a Water Treatment Plant which is designed to treat algae, but remains suitable for recreational use.
What should I do?
Rural pipeline customers are advised to seek veterinary advice prior to watering stock during an amber alert. Regular sampling is undertaken at this alert level.
Green
0-0.6 mm3/L
Blue-green algae is present in the water at low concentrations.
Water is potable (drinkable) provided it is supplied through a Water Treatment Plant and is considered safe for recreational, stock and domestic use.
For warnings for the Murray River, refer to algal information issued by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Blue-green algae warnings
We advise the public to avoid direct contact with water bodies that have been issued a blue-green algae warning. Monitoring has detected levels of blue-green algae above levels considered safe for recreational use.
We recommend:
- Avoiding all contact with affected water.
- Affected water not be used for cooking, drinking, washing/showering or any other domestic use. Boiling the affected water will not make it safe to use.
- People who come into contact with the affected water should wash skin immediately in clean water. Characteristic signs of algae contact are skin rashes or itchiness, sore eyes, ears and nose; or if swallowed, nausea or vomiting.
- Those experiencing any health issues after being in contact with blue-green algae affected water, please seek medical advice immediately.
- Pet owners should prevent pets from drinking or having direct contact with blue-green algae affected water.
General information
High levels of blue-green algae produce toxins that can affect the health of humans, animals, birds and livestock as well as harm the environment.
Blue-green algae blooms occur naturally and can reproduce quickly in still or slow-flowing water in rivers and lakes. Blooms can be triggered by a combination of:
- nutrients in the water
- low water inflows and storage levels
- warmer weather conditions
It is not possible to predict how long blue-green algae levels will remain high.
In the event of an algae bloom in one of our waterways, we may issue a warning (depending on the blue-green algae levels as identified in the above table). We will continue to regularly monitor the water quality in line with our Blue-green Algae Regional Coordination Plan.
It's important that you respect any changes to recreational activities at lakes, reservoirs, rivers and wetlands where warnings are issued.
Anglers wanting more information are recommended to visit Victorian Fisheries Authority’s website.
How to recognise a blue-green algae bloom
Blue–green algal blooms often cause a green/red/brown discolouration of the water. Sometimes scum forms on the water surface and an earthy or musty smell may be present.
Although algae blooms can sometimes be seen, water samples need to analysed to know for sure.
If you suspect a blue-green algae bloom, contact us immediately on 1800 188 586.
Blue-green algae Regional Coordination Plan
GWMWater is the Regional Coordinator for a major blue-green algae outbreak for a number lakes, reservoirs, rivers and wetlands within our region.
More about our Blue-Green Algae Regional Coordination Plan.
Further information on blue-green algaeDepartment of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) https://www.water.vic.gov.au/waterways-and-catchments/rivers-estuaries-and-waterways/blue-green-algae Australian Drinking Water Guidelines https://nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-drinking-water-guidelines Agriculture Victoria Blue-green algae | Blue-green algae in water | Water | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria
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