Coliban Water has removed its poor raw water quality warning for towns in its Murray Supply System - Echuca, Leitchville, Gunbower and Cohuna.
Manager Community Operations Mick Dunne said the raw water quality in the Murray River catchment area has improved with the wetter and cooler weather.
“Raw water from the Murray River is treated at our water treatment plants to supply drinking water to the four towns in our Murray Supply System.
“Prolonged dry conditions and warm weather this summer resulted in poor raw water quality and some customers may have experienced an earthy taste and smell.
“Exceptionally high concentrations of naturally occurring taste and odour compounds were detected in the raw water supply. Blue Green Algae (BGA) can cause taste and odour compounds to be more present.
“We put additional treatment processes in place at our plants to minimise the impact to the drinking water supply. There were no health risks associated with the water and it continued to comply with all health-based guideline values in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
“We are noticing an increase in the intensity and duration of BGA blooms across many of our water sources with a changing climate.
“Our region’s changing climate conditions is resulting in higher concentrations of algae and extended periods of blooms in local water bodies.
“We have learned lessons from last summer and have put in measures to prepare for further seasonal changes to raw water quality in the Murray River catchment area.
“Managing the increased risk of BGA blooms is part of our climate adaptation considerations in our Strategy 2030 strategic plan,” Mr Dunne said.
For further information, please call our Customer Support Team on 1300 363 200 or visit www.coliban.com.au
Last updated on 07 May 2020