General News
7 January, 2025
Water disrupted for locals
A burst water pipe on Bridgewater-Dunolly Road and treatment plant disruptions a day after left local residents without water.
Standpipes in Dunolly, Bealiba and Tarnagulla were closed last Tuesday following multiple disruptions across the network.
A spokesperson for Coliban Water said the standpipes were closed to ensure the water supply was maintained to customers while they completed the required repairs.
“We experienced bursts in our water supply network across last week, and experienced challenges at the water treatment plant, the two issues were coincidental and are not related,” they said.
Dean Heywood was one of the locals affected by the closure. He said that there were hundreds of other locals impacted.
“We were down to 1000 litres, which is about a day and a half, anyone who is not on mains water, whether they get it carted in or if they do it themselves, the water is like a lifeblood to them,” he said.
“There are still people that are relying on water to be transported to their houses, whether it’s for fire, drinking water or their livestock.”
While some residents received water carting, Mr Heywood said that other residents were advised to obtain water from standpipes in other towns.
“We were told to go to Maldon or Marong, I worked out from each town with standpipes affected, the minimum trip for someone to hook up their trailer for water, is a 62 kilometre round trip,” he said.
The standpipes in Bealiba and Tarnagulla were reopened on Friday, while the Dunolly standpipe remained closed as Coliban Water continued repairs.
Mr Heywood said the community can’t go a week without water.
“We were told there would be an update on the sixth, not that we would have water, just an update, that’s Monday through to Monday where there will be no water,” he said.
Coliban Water apologised to affected customers.
“We understand the impact this can have on some members of the community and apologise for any inconvenience,” they said.
The standpipe in Dunolly was opened again on Monday.
Coliban Water said that despite these challenges, the water has remained safe to drink at all times.