Parts of Goulburn Valley Water’s service area are identified as high fire danger areas by the Country Fire Authority (CFA).
While our teams do everything possible to prepare for emergencies, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted water supply or normal water pressure during a major fire.
On this page are some important things to remember during the current fire emergencies that are impacting our communities. We are providing an emergency water fill point at Euroa from Wednesday 14 January (details below).
At the bottom of this page there is also information about Australian and Victorian government financial support packages for people impacted by fires. You can also access the information via these links - emergency.vic.gov.au/relief and servicesaustralia.gov.au/disastersupport
Accessing emergency relief drinking water
Households impacted by the recent bushfires, that are not connected to mains water (reliant on tank water) may be eligible to access up to 20,000 L of emergency relief drinking water following the Victorian fires that began on 7 January 2026.
For more information on eligibility criteria, how to apply and how to understand assistance available for households during recovery, please visit: Emergency relief drinking water 2026
Emergency water fill points
Water fill points have been set up in Ruffy, Euroa, Bonnie Doon, Alexandra, Molesworth, Yea and Yarck for people who have been directly affected by fires to access clean water.
For safety, we ask you to access the site during daylight hours.
Fill point locations:
- Ruffy township - 3 Nolans Road (at the Hay Depot, across from the hall and emergency relief hub) AVAILABLE 8am-6pm
- Yarck Hall (Maroondah Highway) AVAILABLE 24/7
- Friendlies Oval - 9 Gobur St, Euroa
- Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve - 2 Davon Street, Bonnie Doon
- Alexandra Rotary Park – Opposite 49 Vickery St, Alexandra
- Yea Recreation Reserve, 18 Snodgrass St, Yea
- Molesworth, Molesworth CFA Shed, Hood Street, Molesworth AVAILABLE 24/7
This water supply is safe to drink - bring containers, IBCs and small water trailers.
This is an emergency service for those affected by fires. Water carters cannot access this water supply. Please use local standpipes - standpipes in Bonnie Doon, Alexandra, Yea, Molesworth and Seymour is free to access at this time.
View the full list of GVW standpipes and locations here: Standpipes | Goulburn Valley Water
For more information, please call our Customer Service Centre on 1800 454 500.
How bushfires can affect water supply
During a major fire event, demand on the town water supply can exceed the capacity of the system. This may result in reduced water pressure and/or temporary loss of water supply.
Fires can also damage water infrastructure, disrupt electricity supply (which may affect pumped systems), and delay repairs until it is safe for crews to access affected areas.
If water supply is affected, we will work with impacted customers to provide advice and, where possible, an alternate supply.
What you can do to prepare
We encourage customers to consider water supply as part of their bushfire preparedness, particularly if you live in a rural or bushfire-prone area.
Some households choose to identify alternate or independent water sources as part of a broader fire plan. These may include:
- Water tanks
- Dams
- Swimming pools
- Stored water in suitable containers
On days of high, extreme or catastrophic fire danger, it can be helpful to have drinking water set aside in advance, stored in the fridge or a cool place, and to ensure you have access to water in the event of a supply disruption.
As a general guide, at least 10 litres (one bucket) per person is recommended as a minimum.
If you plan to use an independent water supply, you may also wish to consider how that water would be accessed, including whether a pump is required and whether it would operate during a power outage.
Your individual fire plan should identify reliable alternative water sources such as a large dam, irrigation channel or creek. Only residents who are fully prepared should consider staying to defend their property. Leaving early is the safest option.
For broader fire preparedness advice, visit the Country Fire Authority or VicEmergency.
Drinking water quality during and after a fire
In some circumstances, bushfires may affect drinking water quality.
If this occurs, we may advise customers to boil drinking water during and after a fire until safety can be confirmed. If boiling is not possible, alternative arrangements and advice will be provided where feasible.
We will communicate directly with affected communities as soon as information becomes available.
What we do
We prepare for bushfire season year-round by:
- Maintaining and monitoring our water supply networks
- Having plans in place for periods of high fire danger
- Preparing backup systems to minimise supply disruptions under normal conditions
During an emergency, we work closely with the CFA, emergency services and other agencies to provide firefighters with access to hydrants and water supply, support water carting where required, and carry out repairs as soon as it is safe to do so.
Stay informed
For current fire danger ratings, warnings and emergency information, stay up to date through the following official sources:
Accessibility
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
- To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service for assistance and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.
The Australian Government is activating financial assistance through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) for communities impacted by the recent bushfires in Victoria.
Effective from 2:00 pm local time on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, the AGDRP will be accessible to eligible individuals residing in the following areas: Barkers Creek, Harcourt, Harcourt North, Longwood, Longwood East, Natimuk, Ravenswood South, Ruffy, and Sutton Grange.
The AGDRP provides a one-time payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child to support individuals who have sustained significant home damage, serious injury, or bereavement as a result of bushfires.
This support is in addition to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements activated by the Australian Government and Victoria Government, to help households, small businesses, primary producers and councils.
For more information or to apply:
An additional $10 million fodder support package is now available for farmers and local producers affected by the Victoria bushfires.
The Australian Government and Victoria Government will work with the Victorian Farmers Federation to distribute fodder to farmers who need it.
Further support available:
- Personal Hardship Payment activated for 18 Local Government Areas and 1 Alpine Resort.
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment activated for 9 areas.
Emergency Recovery Victoria will keep working with councils to determine other support needed and assistance may also be extended to other areas.
This support is being delivered through the joint Commonwealth–State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
For more information or to apply:
Further information on disaster assistance is also available at disasterassist.gov.au