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Fairbairn Dam residents and visitors advised to boil drinking water

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Sunset over the newly constructed gravity sidewalls

Update 2: Friday 15 July 2022, 4:30pm

The Fairbairn Dam boil water alert which took effect on Wednesday, July 6 2022 has now been lifted and water quality levels are back within the normal range.  

Residents of and visitors to Fairbairn Dam are no longer required to boil their water for drinking purposes.  

Update 1: Wednesday 6 July 2022, 4:30pm

This alert applies from Wednesday 6 July 2022 to all residents and visitors 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 operational issue identified in the Fairbairn Dam water supply 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 regulator and has taken the step of issuing this notice as a precaution to reduce the risk of illness.

Sunwater 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. Sunwater will provide an update if a change occurs.

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. All visitors planning to visit the day use area are encouraged to bring their own bottled water.

If you have any further concerns please contact the Robert Trail Operations Manager on 0439 147 447.