Blue-Green Algae
Sunday 29 March 2020
The red alert for blue-green algae remains in place for the Murray River, from downstream of Merbein Pump Station to Lock 9.
Rural customers in Merbein irrigation district are supplied from the Merbein Pump Station. There is no red alert currently in place for these customers or private diversion customers upstream of the Merbein Pump Station. Tanks do not need to be isolated however should remain topped up and customers be prepared to isolate should levels increase.
Private diversion customers downstream of Merbein Pump Station remain in the red alert area and are advised to keep tanks isolated.
Blue-green levels are fluctuating in Lake Cullulleraine and a high caution advisory notice remains in place for this area, with customers advised to isolate tanks as a precaution. This applies to all customers taking or supplied with water from Lake Cullulleraine, including those in the Millewa district area and townships within it (eg. Werrimull, Meringur, Lake Cullulleraine and other areas).
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.
Signage has been erected in strategic locations along the riverbank and at Lake Cullulleraine advising recreational users that harmful algae may be present in the water.
SMS messages have been sent to those Lower Murray Water rural customers registered to receive SMS, within this affected reach of the river and Lake Cullulleraine, advising them to isolate tanks.
If you are an LMW rural customer and are unsure whether these alerts/cautions affect your rural water supply, call our Mildura office on 03) 5051 3400 and select Option 9.
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.
The monitoring of the Murray River for BGA is undertaken by staff from the New South Wales Department of Environment and Water and is reported back through the Sunraysia Regional Algal Coordination Committee.
We also monitor the raw water entering our water treatment plants.
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
- Danco – M: 0418 502 656
- Richardson Bros – M: 0419 359 561
Water Carters: 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
The application forms for the Utility Relief Grant Scheme (non-mains can be obtained by calling 1800 658 521
SMS UPDATES TO CUSTOMERS:
To register please by calling our office on 03 5051 3400 or visiting WaterNow (water ordering platform).