Alerts August 2026 (Australia)
6 published alerts, 0 currently active.
Riverina Water diluting drinking supply in Wagga Wagga amid elevated PFAS levels
Elevated PFAS levels were detected in Riverina Water's West Wagga bore field during routine testing in December 2025, with PFOS in one untreated sample almost twice the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Riverina Water introduced a dilution program that brought treated water back within the guidelines and says the supply remains safe to drink. The contamination source is unclear, and testing and investigation will continue. Update (Friends of the Earth, 29.08.2026, 09:25): Detections of PFAS occurred in Eastern and Western groundwater bores EW1-3, WW4-5 and the Murrumbidgee River from late 2024 to mid-2026. Levels in some bores reached up to 88.7% of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, prompting calls for urgent hydrological work.
The Blue Mountains PFAS Discovery
In Medlow Bath in den Blue Mountains, NSW, wurden erhöhte PFAS-Werte im Medlow Dam entdeckt, der das Cascade Water Filtration Plant versorgt. WaterNSW trennte daraufhin Medlow und Greaves Creek Dams vom Versorgungssystem. Seit Dezember 2024 ist eine spezielle PFAS-Behandlung in Betrieb, und das Trinkwasser entspricht den australischen Richtlinien.
Advice - Drinking Water - Boil Tap Water
Coliban Water hat eine Trinkwasserwarnung für Guildford und Yapeen herausgegeben. Aufgrund eines Rohrbruchs am späten Mittwochabend kam es zu einer Versorgungsunterbrechung und niedrigem Wasserdruck, was zu Bakterienansammlungen führen kann. Bewohner müssen Leitungswasser vor dem Trinken, der Zubereitung von Speisen und dem Zähneputzen abkochen. Update (Coliban Water, 22.08.2026, 23:19): Repairs are underway, followed by flushing and water quality testing. All-clear (Coliban Water, 23.08.2026, 23:18): The Boil Water Advisory has been lifted and drinking water is now confirmed safe. The advisory was issued on Thursday, August 20, 2026, following a burst water main near Yapeen. Update (ABC Emergency / VicEmergency, 23.08.2026, 23:19): The burst water main occurred on Wednesday night, August 19, 2026.
Boil Water Notice For Batlow
Batlow residents are advised to boil their tap water or use bottled water until further notice. This is due to a treatment plant process failure that resulted in the supply of water with low chlorine levels into the network. Council staff are working with Health NSW to resolve the situation and are undertaking additional testing. All-clear (Snowy Valleys Council, 22.08.2026, 23:19): The boil water notice, in effect since 18 August 2026, has been lifted as of 21 August 2026.
DIRRANBANDI BOIL WATER ALERT
Balonne Shire Council issued a boil water alert for Dirranbandi after a malfunction at the water treatment plant on August 15, 2026, allowed raw river water into the water reticulation system. Residents are advised to boil water and bottled water is being distributed while repairs, flushing, and water testing are underway. Update (QPS Media, 28.08.2026, 11:25): An Emergency Alert was issued at 9:37 PM on Saturday. All-clear (Balonne Council, 02.09.2026, 09:20): The boil water alert for Dirranbandi has been cancelled following negative coliform bacteria test results from NATA-accredited and in-house water testing.
Beaconsfield residents resort to drinking water from bird baths amid supply issues
Residents at a social housing complex on Lefroy Road in Beaconsfield, Perth, have experienced weeks of low water pressure, culminating in a pipe burst on Friday night that cut off water entirely. This has led to a "health hazard" as residents cannot shower, flush toilets, or wash, with some resorting to drinking from bird baths. Bottled water was to be supplied to the affected residents.