Alerts September 2026 (Australia)
6 published alerts, 3 currently active.
Red alert for algae at Lake Menindee
Water New South Wales has issued a red alert for blue-green algae at Lake Menindee due to low storage levels and poor water quality. This alert has triggered extra water quality testing and monitoring for the area. Holding water in the upper two lakes is causing the algae problem at Lake Menindee.
Medlow Dam in Blue Mountains closed due to PFAS contamination
In August 2024, authorities closed Medlow Dam in the Blue Mountains, Australia, following the discovery of PFAS contamination at levels significantly exceeding those in Sydney's primary drinking water source. This affected approximately 41,000 residents who relied on the catchment. The dam, along with Greaves Creek Dam, remained disconnected from the Blue Mountains water supply, prompting the NSW Government to announce the installation of an advanced PFAS treatment system by December 2024. Update (Genre.com, 15.09.2026, 07:36): PFAS levels were reportedly up to 300 times higher than Sydney's primary drinking water source. In May 2025, WaterNSW confirmed Greaves Creek Dam was also contaminated.
Boil Water Alert: Amby
Residents of Amby are advised to boil tap water intended for drinking from 1 September 2026 until further notice. This precautionary measure follows repairs made to the township’s chlorination system, resulting in low chlorine in the water reticulation network. Bottled water is available for the community behind the Amby Hall while this alert is active. Update (Maranoa Regional Council, 11.09.2026, 23:55): The precautionary measure follows repairs made to the township’s bore.
23/2/26: Erina (NSW). Drinking Water. PFHxS
The per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) PFHxS was detected in drinking water in Erina, New South Wales, on February 26, 2023, at a concentration of 0.001 µg/L. This information was reported by a platform aggregating PFAS incidents in Australia, linking to the Central Coast Council's general information page on PFAS.
Hughenden residents rely on bottled water as Queensland's water infrastructure reaches crisis point
Einwohner von Hughenden, Queensland, Australien, sind gezwungen, Flaschenwasser zu kaufen, da ihr Leitungswasser aufgrund veralteter Infrastruktur, einschließlich alter Bohrlöcher, verfärbt ist, schlecht riecht und ekelhaft schmeckt. Familien geben wöchentlich über 50 Dollar für Wasser aus, da der Zustand des Leitungswassers die Menschen davon abhält, es zu trinken oder es sogar in Cafés zu verwenden. Der Gemeinderat versucht, das Problem abschnittsweise zu beheben, kämpft jedoch mit unzureichender Finanzierung für umfassende Modernisierungen der Wasserinfrastruktur, von der mehr als die Hälfte in Queensland das Ende ihrer Lebensdauer erreicht hat.
Highest PFAS pollution detected in Lake Mulwala drinking water supply
On July 13, 2023, Victoria's highest PFAS pollution event in a drinking water supply was recorded at Lake Mulwala, Yarrawonga. A PFOS level of 0.29µg/L was found, exceeding the current PFOS drinking water guideline by 36 times. Nine different PFAS chemicals were detected during this incident, the cause of which remains uninvestigated.