Black water in the Murray River affecting Piangil, Pental Island and Nyah pump stations

Last updated: 9am, 3 January 2017

Berriwillock, Culgoa, Chinkapook, Chilllingollah, Lalbert, Lalbert, Nandaly, Nullawil, Speed, Patchewollock, Tempy, Ultima, Waitchie and Murray River supplied rural pipelines

Black water alert

Flooding in September and October has caused organic matter to flow into the Murray River, changing the water to a dark tea colour ('black water'). Customers may see a visual change in their water but can still use it for non-drinking purposes.

While we can't predict when the water will return to normal, water quality samples at our pump stations indicate that the worst has gone past. Water Quality in the Murray River is continuing to improve and indications are that it may pass in a few weeks.

Information on specific areas...

Murray River supplied rural customers

Rural customers receiving untreated water from the Piangil, Pental Island and Nyah pump stations will notice high colour in their water.

Speed, Patchewollock, Tempy and Nandaly

Customers in these towns supplied via the Ouyen raw water storages will notice a gradual improvement to the colour of their water.

Lalbert and Ultima

Carting water to Lalbert and Ultima has ceased.

Nullawil, Culgoa and Berriwillock

These towns are likely to experience dark coloured water. We're monitoring the water quality and are currently adjusting coagulant dosing to minimise the colour effects.

Chinkapook, Chilllingollah and Waitchie

Residents in these towns may notice a rapid change to their water colour.

Underbool and Manangatang

These towns should see no noticeable effect to their water and can continue to use it as normal, including for drinking.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will provide an update when the water quality returns to normal.