Fairbairn Dam residents and visitors advised to boil drinking water

Fairbairn Dam
Update 2: 10 September 2021, 12:45pm

As of Tuesday, 7 September the boil water alert for Fairbairn Dam is no longer in effect.

Update 1: 7 April 2021, 11:00am

This alert applies from Tuesday 6 April 2021 to all residents and visitors in the immediate vicinity of Fairbairn Dam who receive drinking water from the Fairbairn Dam Water Supply. 

Sunwater advises all residents and visitors to boil their tap water used for drinking following an issue identified at the Sunwater water treatment plant which has resulted in water being produced with an elevated turbidity level (which may have resulted in a cloudiness of the water). 

No contaminants of direct health concern have been detected, however Sunwater has notified the office of the water supply regulator and has taken the step of issuing this notice as a precaution to reduce the risk of potential illness.  

Sunwater has issued this notice as a precaution and is undertaking a series of actions to investigate and rectify the cause of the issue.  

The boil water alert will stay in effect until Sunwater is confident there is no longer a public health concern. Regular updates will be provided. 

Consuming unboiled drinking water could lead to illness, especially for vulnerable people (e.g. those who are very young, elderly or immune compromised). If you are concerned about your health contact 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), your local doctor or local hospital and advise them of your concerns.  

People should use cooled boiled water or bottled water for: 

  • drinking 
  • brushing teeth 
  • washing and preparing food or beverages 
  • preparing baby formula 
  • making ice 
  • bathing infants. 

Unboiled drinking water can be used for: 

  • showering and bathing other than infants (but minimise water in the mouth)  
  • washing dishes by hand or in a dishwasher, provided dishes are air-dried 
  • washing clothes 
  • flushing toilets.  

People should bring drinking water to a boil and then allow water to cool before using it or storing it in a clean, closed container for later use.  

Kettles with automatic cut-off switches are suitable for producing boiled water. Variable temperature kettles should be set to boil.   

Residents are urged to share this alert with neighbours and friends. 

If you have any further concerns please contact Peter Simpson, Fairbairn Dam Senior Operator Maintainer, Sunwater ph: 0459 839 917.