Water Quality Issues

17 February 2009 

Goulburn Valley Water is preparing for potential water quality issues that may arise as a result of rainfall after the fires.

Goulburn Valley Water’s General Manager Technical Services, Mr Allen Gale said that the Corporation has identified the potential risk of water quality problems from runoff after the fires for each of its water systems.  “A number of catchments in our region have extensive fire damage so if there is a heavy rainfall event then ash and debris from the fires could be washed into the waterways that we draw our water from for drinking water supplies.”

“A number of our systems have off stream storages and for these systems we will stop diverting water into them prior, during and after a rainfall event,” said Mr Gale.  “Stopping the diversion will ensure that runoff does not enter our water supply.  This could be for a day or two or up to several weeks.”

Mr Gale said that the systems that do not have off stream storages will need special attention. “We will need to use a number of different approaches depending on the size and treatment facilities for each system.  In an extreme case tankering of drinking water may be required.”

Mr Gale said that when the runoff occurs it will be most important for customers to use as little water as possible.

“We have been speaking to a number of our counterparts in other water corporations who have experienced bushfires and water quality issues from rainfall events,” said Mr Gale. “We are doing everything we can so that we are prepared for any deterioration in water quality.”

Authorised By P.A. Quinn, 104-110 Fryers Street Shepparton