Blue-Green Algae

Monday 1 June 2020

There are currently no warnings for blue-green algae in the Lower Murray Water service region.

WaterNSW and Lower Murray Water will continue to monitor water quality along the river impacted by the algal bloom and report the results as they become available.

SMS messages continue to be sent to those Lower Murray Water rural customers registered to receive SMS, advising them of conditions as they change.

If you are an LMW rural customer, call our Mildura office on (03) 5051 3400 and select Option 9 if you:

are unsure whether alerts/cautions affect your rural water supply, or
would like to register to receive SMS alerts.

We monitor levels of Blue-green algae in the River within our service region. Rural customers can register to receive SMS update alerts by contacting our office.

We are a convening agency within the region for Blue Green Algae (BGA) monitoring and reporting.

Broader monitoring of the Murray River for BGA is undertaken by staff from Water New South Wales and reported back through the Sunraysia Regional Algal Coordination Committee.

We also monitor the raw water entering our water treatment plants. Blue-green algae is treated in urban water treatment plants and urban supplies are safe to drink. Rural water supplies are untreated and not suitable for drinking at any time.

Murray River BGA information: WaterNSW

Blue Green Algae – Alert Status Updates

Algal Information Hotline 1800 999 457

See below information on sourcing drinking water for your tanks.

Lower Murray Water Rural Charter – Your Rights and Obligations Rural Water Supply Quality

We will endeavour to supply water to Customers at a quality that is at least the same as the source water from where it is taken (Murray River).

LMW will monitor water quality and endeavour to inform Customers of changes in water quality which are likely to impact on the purposes for which water is used by Customers.

On-Site Storage

We recommend that Customers provide adequate storage for 6 weeks’ normal use in irrigation or Rural districts. Customers should be aware that this is raw river water that is untreated and River conditions, including Blue Green Algae and Black Water events may render water unsuitable for use for a considerable period of time.

Water Carters: Mildura region

Customers can utilise local water carters to obtain a tanker of town drinking water to top up tanks. Water Carters available in the Mildura area to deliver water to your property are:

Danco – M: 0418 502 656
Richardson Bros – M: 0419 359 561

Water Carters: Robinvale

Standpipe located in Moore Street, Robinvale.
Water carter available in the Robinvale area to deliver to your property are:

Marcovic Management – Ken Hensgen- M:0409 806 101

Water Carters: Swan Hill & Boundary Bend

Contact local carters in the Swan Hill area:

Northvic Water Supplies – Ron Thompson: 0418 500 890
Swan Hill Water Carriers – Clive Power: 0428 322 823
PJ Fitzgerald (Piangil) – Peter Fitzgerald: 0428 261 956

Potable water standpipe: Mildura and Swan Hill areas

Access to potable water standpipes is available via a registered water carter. If you require water please contact a water carter in your area.

Utility Relief Grant Scheme – Water Carting Costs

Some customers may be eligible for up to $500 grant under the Department of Health and Human Services Utility Relief Grant Scheme. Click this link for more information about this scheme.

The application forms for the Utility Relief Grant Scheme (non-mains can be obtained by calling 1800 658 521

SMS UPDATES TO CUSTOMERS:

If you are a Lower Murray Water Domestic and Stock customer and would like to receive information via text message about issues such as Blue-green algae, water supply issues etc please provide us with your mobile number, address and outlet number.

To register please by calling our office on 03 5051 3400 or visiting WaterNow (water ordering platform).