Inverloch water warning: Water supply safe after dead bird contamination

Thousands of Inverloch residents can now safely drink from their taps after three dead birds were found in the town’s water supply on Friday. Details here.

Inverloch residents can now safely drink tap water again, after three dead birds were found in the town’s water supply.

Thousands of residents in the seaside town had been forced to boil their tap water before drinking it since last Friday, as a precaution while the storage tanks were cleaned.

But South Gippsland Water has confirmed the water in Inverloch is now safe.

The water company, alongside the Department of Health, advised residents they no longer need to boil the tap water in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.

“After extensive cleaning, flushing, and water quality monitoring, Inverloch’s water supply is safe to drink without having to boil it first.”

A boil water advisory notice was issued by the water authority to businesses and residents of Inverloch last Friday after the discovery of the birds in the water storage unit.

The alert spread across social media before the company was able to contact all residents while some locals say they are still waiting to be directly contacted.

Some locals reported having gastro-like symptoms as a result of the contaminated water supply, while others were unaware they weren’t meant to be drinking it.

Michelle Cahoon said she wasn’t aware of the advisory notice until late Friday night, after drinking from her tap.

She said she experienced stomach pains on Friday night and her daughters have also been sick.

Another resident posted in the Inverloch Community Voice Facebook page saying his dog had also been unwell and reminded others to boil pets’ water as well.

South Gippsland Water, which services about 5,600 properties in Inverloch, consulted the Department of Health after the discovery of what appears to be blackbirds in the water storage tank.

An alert on SGWater’s website on Friday night read: “We have found … deceased birds and sediment in the Inverloch supply”.

“In the interests of public safety, we’re taking a very cautious approach. The presence of the birds may indicate some sort of contamination, which we are now testing. We’re also immediately cleaning the system to bring it back online as soon as possible.”

The company recommended users boil water before drinking and preparing beverages, brushing teeth, washing and preparing food, preparing baby formula and making ice.

The water could be used for showering, but people should avoid swallowing it, and babies and young children should be sponge-bathed.

Managing Director Philippe du Plessis on Monday said this precautionary approach was “necessary” for the interest of public health.

“I want to reassure the community that we are undertaking comprehensive water quality testing,” he said.

The clean involves flushing and cleaning the storage tank as well as flushing of the water reticulation system.

The company continues to investigate how the three birds ended up in the water tank.