Extreme weather and bushfire update - January 2026
- Coliban Water region
Updated: 3pm, Monday 12 January
Our region is recovering from widespread impacts to our services after last week's extreme weather and subsequent bushfires.
We will update this page daily at 10am and 3pm with information about the current impacts in our region.
When to contact Coliban Water
You can contact us 24/7 on 1300 363 200 if you are experiencing an issue with your water or sewer service, or if you need to report a leak or burst.
Response times
Due to ongoing fire activity and road closures, there are some areas our network crews are unable to safely access. As a result, response times may be longer than usual.
We appreciate your patience as we work to carry out repairs as quickly and safely as possible.
Current customer impacts
| Harcourt, parts of Barkers Creek and parts of northern Castlemaine |
Do Not Drink Advisory A drinking water trailer is now available at Rodilesa Nursery Harcourt, on the corner of Blackjack Road and Midland Highway. If you have experienced a water outage or Do Not Drink advisory, you can fill your own drink bottles or other suitable containers here at any time. Please only take what you need. We are aware Harcourt residents are still evacuated due to an active fire in the township. We recognise this has been a distressing time for the community. While we do not wish to add to your burden, we want to let you know that the local water supply has been compromised. Once safe to do so, our teams will access the site, repair the damage and restore safe drinking water. As we begin these repairs, some customers may experience intermittent water supply. Even if water is available at your property, it is not safe to drink while the advisory remains in place. Information has been provided to customers via Emergency Vic. Advice and regular updates will be provided to customers via regular SMS messages (where details are available) and on Facebook. |
| Bridgewater, Inglewood and Leitchville |
Taste and odour issues. |
| Rural customers |
Rural channel water quality. An active bushfire in our region is impacting many of our customers, and we are working hard to maintain continuity of water supply while monitoring the situation closely. |
Other impacts and advice
| Low water pressure |
Customers in some parts of our network may experience low water pressure during peak usage periods, particularly when everyone is using water at the same time. |
| Sewer services during power outages |
Power is required to operate our sewer systems. During power outages, some systems may stop working, which can result in sewer spills to the environment. |
| Reservoir closures | Our reservoirs have reopened on water recreation. For the latest updates on our reservoirs, click here. |
| Private water supply | Customers with private water supplies, such as rainwater tanks, are encouraged to seek advice from the Department of Health if they believe their supply may have been impacted by fire. www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/bushfires-and-public-health |
| Access to our standpipes | Our network of standpipes provides access to drinking water for registered users. To apply to use a standpipe and to check your nearest location, click here. To use our standpipes you require a special key (available from our office at a cost of $35) and will need a suitable tank and vehicle to transport the water. Customers impacted by the current Do Not Drink Advisory can call us on 1300 363 200 for assistance with the application process to ensure quick access to the network. |
Be prepared
We recommend customers plan ahead in case of an emergency by storing water in containers should the water supply be impacted. Be fire ready with information at www.cfa.vic.gov.au.
Keep informed
Please stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring warnings.
The latest updates and emergency warnings can be found online at www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
Call Triple Zero (000) in a life-threatening emergency.
For severe weather-related emergency assistance from the SES, phone 132 500.
Do Not Drink Advisory - Harcourt
- Harcourt
Coliban Water, following consultation with the Department of Health, advises that customers in Harcourt supply system do not drink tap water from 11.45am on Saturday 10 January 2026 until further notice.
This advice has been issued following the fires in Harcourt on Friday 9 January 2026, which impacted our ability to safely access a burst water main that may have caused contaminants to enter the water supply network. We ask all residents to not drink tap water until further notice.
A drinking water trailer is now available at Rodilesa Nursery Harcourt, on the corner of Blackjack Road and Midland Highway. If you have experienced a water outage or Do Not Drink advisory, you can fill your own drink bottles or other suitable containers here at any time. Please only take what you need.
The Harcourt supply system also supplies areas south of Harcourt. To see which areas of the supply network are affected, click here.
We are aware Harcourt residents were evacuated on Friday 9 January due to fires, and we recognise this has been a distressing time for the community. As you safely return to Harcourt, we do not wish to add to your burden, however, we want to let you know that the local water supply has been compromised.
Please know we are here to help, and you can contact us at any time on 1300 363 200 if you need assistance or have concerns.
While this ‘do not drink tap water’ advisory is in place, you are advised not to use the tap water for:
- drinking
- preparing beverages
- washing and preparing food
- preparing baby formula
- brushing teeth
- making ice
Boiling water will not remove any potential contaminants that may enter the distribution system if there is pressure loss.
If you are concerned that you may have been affected by contaminated water, please seek medical advice. Inform your GP of this advisory.
Please share this advice with neighbours and friends.
Once safe to do so, our teams will access the site, repair the damage and restore safe drinking water. As we begin these repairs, some customers may experience intermittent water supply. Even if water is available at your property, it is not safe to drink while the advisory remains in place.
Coliban Water will keep customers informed as the situation changes.
Regular updates will be provided on this page. If you require help or further information call us on 1300 363 200.
Maintenance work - Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant
- Castlemaine
We will be completing maintenance on the biofilter beds at the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant between Tuesday 13 January and Friday 16 January.
During this work those around the plant may notice a temporary increase in odour.
Biofilter beds contain a thick layer of mulch containing odour-eating bacteria that clean the odorous (smelly) air created during the sewage treatment process. This media is being replaced as part of routine maintenance.
Once complete, the work will improve ongoing management of odours generated from the sewage treatment process.
We continue to monitor odour at the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant. If you wish to report odour, please contact us on 1300 363 200.
Water mains maintenance – Kangaroo Flat
- Kangaroo Flat
On Wednesday 14 January we’re completing maintenance work on the water mains in Kangaroo Flat between 9am and noon.
Works will happen along John Street, including The Gums Court and Tasman Court, along with properties in Noble Court, and on Mackenzie Street West located between John Street & Browning Street, Kangaroo Flat.
This work will result in a planned 2-3 hour water supply interruption for some customers in the area - these impacted customers will be notified directly.
You may see our crews working in the area. We’ll complete these works as quickly as possible to minimise any interruption time. These works will improve the resilience of the water network.
Impacted customers have been notified. Before the works, we strongly recommend impacted customers turn off their stop taps and store enough water for the day.
Stop taps
Before the works, we strongly recommend you turn your stop tap off at your water meter. Once your interruption time ends, you can turn your stop tap back on.
If you can’t turn your stop tap off, that’s ok, you can leave it on, however please do not use any water during your interruption time. If your stop tap is left on, you may notice discoloured water or air in your pipes for a short period after the works. Running your tap for a few minutes should clear this.
Storing water
Store enough water for your household to use during the interruption. When your water is off, your toilet cistern won’t refill after you flush, so you may want to fill a bucket with water which can be tipped into your toilet.
During the works
These works can cause temporary changes to the look of your drinking water. If this occurs, run your taps until the water runs clear. If problems persist, please contact us. Your water remains safe to drink.
If you have any questions, please phone our Customer Support Team on 1300 363 200.
Boat ramp closed to larger vessels – Upper Coliban Reservoir
- Upper Coliban Reservoir
The Premier Mine Road boat ramp at the Upper Coliban Reservoir will be closed from 5 January 2026 to larger vessels that cannot be carried to the water.
This is due to releases from the Upper Coliban Reservoir that will reduce water levels in the boat ramp area.
Vessels that can be carried to the water – such as kayaks and canoes – are still permitted to use the reservoir.
This restriction will remain in place until water levels increase at the reservoir.
Please note a blue-green algae alert remains in place at the Upper Coliban Reservoir. Visitors should avoid contact with the water.
For more information visit https://coliban.com.au/about-us/our-reservoirs/upper-coliban-reservoir