Extreme weather and bushfire update - January 2026
- Coliban Water region
Updated: 10am, Monday 19 January
The Do Not Drink Advisory for Harcourt and areas south of Harcourt is now lifted. Your water is safe to drink.
On Saturday, in consultation with the Department of Health, we advised customers the Do Not Drink Advisory for Harcourt and areas south of Harcourt. The water is safe to drink.
The Do Not Drink Advisory was issued after the fires in Harcourt impacted our ability to safely access damaged water infrastructure that may have contaminated the water supply network.
The advisory has now been lifted. We have located and repaired damaged water infrastructure and flushed the drinking water network. Water quality testing has confirmed the water supply is safe.
Before first use, we recommend you run internal taps for two minutes to draw fresh water through your internal plumbing.
For further information visit connect.coliban.com.au/harcourt or call 1300 363 200.
We expect our drinking water trailers to be removed from the following locations in the next few days:
- Harcourt Tourist Centre, 7 High Street
- Harcourt Leisure Centre, Binghams Road
For our rural customers
We know our channels and pipelines near Harcourt have been affected by the fires. Our crews are currently inspecting the rural network and the Coliban Main Channel, where it is safe to do so, to evaluate the damage and prioritise the work required.
There is a possibility some orders may not be supplied and water quality in our rural network cannot be guaranteed.
If you have any questions, please contact our rural team on 1300 761 738 weekdays between 7am - 2:30pm, or email coliban@coliban.com.au
Other resources and information
| Recovery Hub |
A Recovery Hub is open at the Castlemaine Town Hall, 25 Lyttleton Street Castlemaine, from 11am to 5pm daily. Click here for more. |
| Information for residents with water tanks |
We have information available for people with water tanks. |
| Information about the replacement of dam water and other private water supplies used for firefighting | Through its Water Replacement Scheme, the Victorian Government will replace essential private water supplies, including dam water, taken and used during the bushfire emergency. You may be eligible to receive a 'reasonable and sufficient volume of water' to sustain the health of your property, pets, and stock. Information and an application form is available on the Forest Fire Management Victoria website. Click here. Staff at your local council, DEECA, or CFA Office can assist to lodge the application form for you if required. |
| Mount Alexander Shire Council website | Council has a dedicated information hub on its website with links to useful resources. Click here to view the site, which covers:
|
| Victorian Emergency Recovery Hotline | The Victorian Government is providing recovery support for people and communities affected by the fires. Click here to learn more about the help and support available. You can call the Emergency Recovery Hotline every day on 1800 560 760 from 9am to 5pm. |
What’s next?
If you need help or have questions, please call us on 1300 363 200.
Further information is available on our dedicated webpage for Harcourt residents. Visit www.connect.coliban.com.au/harcourt.
Click here for information about our Coliban Assist program and our support for customers.
The the latest emergency updates and warnings visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
We will now scale back our twice daily website updates to once daily. Our next website update will be at 10am tomorrow, Monday 19 January.
Caledonia Gully Reservoir, Argyle - Water release
- Argyle and Heathcote
The Caledonia Gully Reservoir in Argyle is currently unable to be used to meet the demands of our Heathcote Water Treatment Plant. This is due to a raw water network issue we are investigating. As a result there will be a controlled discharge of excess water from the Caledonia Gully Reservoir spillway until further notice.
This release is unavoidable and will result in increased flows in the Caledonia Gully Creek system.
There is no impact to customers as the Heathcote Pipeline is being used to meet the increased demands.
Further updates to follow.
Planned Water Shutdown - Eaglehawk
- Eaglehawk
Our crews will be completing maintenance work in Sovereign Court, Eaglehawk on Tuesday 20 January.
Works are to be completed in two stages with the first requiring a water supply interruption in Darling Street between 8.30am and 12.30pm followed by a second interruption in Kirkwood Road between 12.30pm and 4.30pm.
Impacted customers have been notified and advised to store sufficient water for their need prior to the shutdown.
Once supply is restored customers in the area will need to run their taps for a short time until the water runs clear.
Minor traffic management will be in place.
Maintenance work - Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant
- Castlemaine
We will be completing maintenance on the biofilter beds at the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant from Tuesday 13 January. We expect work to be completed during the week commencing Monday 19 January.
While the work is underway, 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.
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