We're lucky to have some of the most pristine catchments in Australia, however, some customers may occasionally experience issues with their water quality.
Most issues affect the appearance, taste or odour of your water, and pose no health risks.
If you believe your water quality is not acceptable, please contact us.
We add chlorine to your water to kill unwanted micro-organisms. Sometimes chlorine reacts with organic matter in the pipes and creates a noticeable taste or smell. The chlorine taste may be more obvious after pipes have been flushed as part of ongoing maintenance.
Letting water stand in a jug (for example in your fridge) will usually eliminates the chlorine taste and smell.
Old or rusty house pipes can make your water taste like metal. Please consult a plumber.
Water can look brown or muddy when there is sediment in the mains. This is usually from the water catchment, lasts a short time, and is not a health risk.
If your water is orange or brown, it may be from rusty iron house pipes. Compare the water from inside your house with the water from your garden tap to see if your house pipes are causing the problem. You may need to consult a plumber.
Colac, Forrest, Lorne and Aireys Inlet occasionally experience dark coloured water due to elevated manganese levels. Manganese is a naturally occurring element and poses no health risk at the levels found in your water supply. We are currently trialing new technologies to reduce these incidents.
Corroded copper house pipes can make water look blue or greenish, and result in an unpleasant, metallic or bitter taste.
Do not consume blue or greenish coloured water, and consult a plumber.
Water hardness is a measure of naturally occurring calcium and magnesium dissolved in water.
Water across our region is generally considered "soft" and poses no problems.
There is no need to use water softeners in dishwashers or washing machines.
Plumatella, sometimes called pipe moss or tobacco weed, is a small plant-like organism that can block water meters and cause poor pressure.
We are working towards a fully enclosed water supply system (covering open storages or replacing them with enclosed tanks) that will eliminate Plumatella in the future.
For detailed information, please refer to our Annual Drinking Water Quality Report.
If you have questions or concerns about your water quality, please contact us
All material on this site Copyright © 2012 Barwon Region Water Corporation
Head Office: 61-67 Ryrie Street, Geelong, 3220, Victoria, Australia.
Ph: 1300 656 007
E-mail general enquiries: info@barwonwater.vic.gov.au