‘Not safe to drink water’: Urgent health warning leaves residents on edge
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Ensuring the safety of essential services is a fundamental priority, but occasionally, unexpected incidents put that security to the test.
A routine inspection in Victoria has led to an urgent public health warning, leaving communities on high alert.
Authorities are now investigating the incident as residents take precautionary measures to protect themselves.
Residents in parts of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula were told to boil their tap water after a dead rodent was discovered in a local reservoir.
The warning applied to those in Flinders, Point Leo, and Shoreham, where officials advised against consuming unboiled water due to potential contamination.
South East Water confirmed that the rodent was found in the Shoreham Reservoir during a routine maintenance inspection on 20 March.
A Victoria Emergency alert cautioned that drinking unboiled water could cause gastro-like symptoms, including diarrhoea, cramps, and headaches.
‘Water contaminated with germs can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains,’ the alert stated.
‘E. coli itself is not necessarily harmful, but finding it means that the drinking water may be contaminated with other germs that can cause illness.
‘Low water pressure and interruptions to water supply can lead to a build-up of bacteria that can make people sick.’
Authorities urged residents to boil water before drinking, preparing food, making ice, brushing teeth, or mixing cold beverages.
They also advised sponge baths for babies and toddlers to prevent accidental ingestion, while pets should be given either cooled boiled water or water from another source.
South East Water’s general manager of service delivery, Tim Lloyd, apologised to affected residents and said an update would be provided ‘as soon as possible.’
The Department of Health and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) were also monitoring the situation.
‘We’re sorry for the inconvenience to the impacted communities,’ Mr Lloyd said.
He described the alert as a precautionary measure.
‘As our water is such high quality, it only needs minimal chlorination,’ he said.
‘If undisinfected water enters the system, the risk to health is low. However, we’re issuing this boil water advisory notice as a precaution.
‘Special care should be taken with young children, people whose immune system is compromised, and the elderly.
‘We take seriously our responsibility to protect the water supply to make sure it meets our high standards.’
Emergency drinking water was made available at Flinders Civic Hall and Shoreham Recreation Reserve.
Anyone experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or stomach pain was encouraged to visit a doctor or contact Nurse on Call.
Officials instructed residents to bring water to a full boil, ensuring ‘a continuous and rapid stream of air bubbles is produced from the bottom of a pan or kettle.’
They also warned people to let the water cool before use, store it in a clean, sealed container, and take care to prevent burns while boiling.
In a previous story, another public health alert was issued after an unexpected contamination forced the closure of a popular pool.
Authorities warned swimmers about potential health risks and took immediate action to address the issue.
Read more about what led to the sudden shutdown here.
Water safety is something many take for granted—until an incident like this happens. How prepared are you for a sudden boil water alert in your area?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A routine inspection in Victoria has led to an urgent public health warning, leaving communities on high alert.
Authorities are now investigating the incident as residents take precautionary measures to protect themselves.
Residents in parts of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula were told to boil their tap water after a dead rodent was discovered in a local reservoir.
The warning applied to those in Flinders, Point Leo, and Shoreham, where officials advised against consuming unboiled water due to potential contamination.
South East Water confirmed that the rodent was found in the Shoreham Reservoir during a routine maintenance inspection on 20 March.
A Victoria Emergency alert cautioned that drinking unboiled water could cause gastro-like symptoms, including diarrhoea, cramps, and headaches.
‘Water contaminated with germs can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains,’ the alert stated.
‘E. coli itself is not necessarily harmful, but finding it means that the drinking water may be contaminated with other germs that can cause illness.
‘Low water pressure and interruptions to water supply can lead to a build-up of bacteria that can make people sick.’
Authorities urged residents to boil water before drinking, preparing food, making ice, brushing teeth, or mixing cold beverages.
They also advised sponge baths for babies and toddlers to prevent accidental ingestion, while pets should be given either cooled boiled water or water from another source.
South East Water’s general manager of service delivery, Tim Lloyd, apologised to affected residents and said an update would be provided ‘as soon as possible.’
The Department of Health and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) were also monitoring the situation.
‘We’re sorry for the inconvenience to the impacted communities,’ Mr Lloyd said.
He described the alert as a precautionary measure.
‘As our water is such high quality, it only needs minimal chlorination,’ he said.
‘If undisinfected water enters the system, the risk to health is low. However, we’re issuing this boil water advisory notice as a precaution.
‘Special care should be taken with young children, people whose immune system is compromised, and the elderly.
‘We take seriously our responsibility to protect the water supply to make sure it meets our high standards.’
Emergency drinking water was made available at Flinders Civic Hall and Shoreham Recreation Reserve.
Anyone experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or stomach pain was encouraged to visit a doctor or contact Nurse on Call.
Officials instructed residents to bring water to a full boil, ensuring ‘a continuous and rapid stream of air bubbles is produced from the bottom of a pan or kettle.’
They also warned people to let the water cool before use, store it in a clean, sealed container, and take care to prevent burns while boiling.
In a previous story, another public health alert was issued after an unexpected contamination forced the closure of a popular pool.
Authorities warned swimmers about potential health risks and took immediate action to address the issue.
Read more about what led to the sudden shutdown here.
Water safety is something many take for granted—until an incident like this happens. How prepared are you for a sudden boil water alert in your area?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
