The Longwood fire has shut down the Longwood the operations of the Longwood Water Treatment Plant, impacting water supply to customers.
Goulburn Valley Water said verification sampling will be used to assess the risk, but at this stage it could not guarantee that the water currently supplied to Longwood and Longwood East customers was fit for human consumption.
If you live or work within Longwood or Longwood East, you must boil tap water before drinking, or drink bottled water.
People should also boil water for food preparation, cleaning fruit and vegetables, making ice, preparing baby formula and for brushing teeth.
To ensure water is safe, you should:
Heat water until a continuous and rapid stream of air-bubbles is produced from the bottom of a pan or kettle (kettles with automatic shut-off switches are suitable).
Allow water to cool before use.
Store water in a clean, closed container for later use.
Be careful when boiling water to prevent scalding or burns.
If you are concerned that you may have been affected by contaminated water, contact your doctor or Nurse-on-Call.
Unboiled water can still be used for showering and bathing, flushing toilets, and washing dishes and clothes.
Consuming unboiled water may lead to diarrhoea, cramps, headaches or other gastro-like symptoms. If you are concerned, please contact your local doctor and tell them about this notice.
Infants, children, pregnant women, elderly and immuno-compromised people are at higher risk.
A tanker of treated water that is safe to drink can be accessed between 8am and 4pm daily at the Longwood Recreation Reserve in Down St.
Bring containers to fill from the tanker.
Bottled water is also available 24 hours a day at the Longwood Recreation Reserve.
GVW managing director Steve Capewell said staff were working around the clock to restore a supply of safe drinking water.
“The Longwood fire is catastrophic, and we know the boil water advisory will be affecting Longwood and Longwood residents – we’re sorry for all our fire-affected customers, Dr Capewell said.
“We are working hard to ensure that our system can deliver water to Longwood and Longwood East homes that we are certain is safe to drink.”
Interruptions to water supply may still occur over coming days as operations staff work to repair the fire-damaged water treatment plant and supply network.
GVW said it was working around the clock to ensure towns impacted by recent fires continue to have access to water and sewerage services, despite challenging conditions continuing across the region.
In Strathbogie, Alexandra, Eildon, Molesworth and Yea, the water supply is still available, but people are being asked to limit use to essential needs to help manage demand.
In Katamatite, water supply has returned to normal after earlier pressure issues.
At Avenel, Seymour, Bonnie Doon and Mansfield, water supplies remain unaffected at this stage, but GVW warns that residents should remain vigilant and consider storing extra water as a precaution.
At Buxton, Thornton and Rubicon, water supply is being maintained, but people may experience discolouration issues. Running an outside tap for a short period can help.
Dr Capewell said safety remained a priority, but he understood just how important a regular supply of water was to homes.
“Our people are doing their best to ensure things are back online as soon as possible, but with road closures and hazards such as falling trees, we are doing so with safety as the priority,” he said.
“Since late Wednesday our staff have been working non-stop to keep communities supplied with water wherever possible.
Dr Capewell said safety remained a priority, but he understood just how important a regular supply of water was to homes.
“Our people are doing their best to ensure things are back online as soon as possible, but with road closures and hazards such as falling trees, we are doing so with safety as the priority,” he said.
“Since late Wednesday our staff have been working non-stop to keep communities supplied with water wherever possible.”
People can contact 1800 454 500 (24 hours) for more information or help.
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