Maintenance work - Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant
- Castlemaine
We will be completing maintenance on the biofilter beds at the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant between Tuesday 13 January and Friday 16 January.
During this work those around the plant may notice a temporary increase in odour.
Biofilter beds contain a thick layer of mulch containing odour-eating bacteria that clean the odorous (smelly) air created during the sewage treatment process. This media is being replaced as part of routine maintenance.
Once complete, the work will improve ongoing management of odours generated from the sewage treatment process.
We continue to monitor odour at the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant. If you wish to report odour, please contact our Customer Support Operations Officer Ned Wurf on 1300 363 200.
Low pressure - Tooborac
- Tooborac
Update, 11.15am
Our crews are responding to a burst water main in Tooborac.
This burst is causing a water outage and low pressure to customers in the area.
Water carting has begun to support restoring services, but this service disruption could last until the evening.
A drinking water trailer to support ongoing drinking water access for customers will be set up as soon as practical and is subject to ongoing fire risk access assessment for the safety of our staff.
Please check this website or our social media for updates.
Our next update will be at 2.30pm.
Earlier
Our crews are investigating reports of low pressure in Tooborac.
Customers in the area may be experiencing pressure fluctuations.
The extreme weather conditions in Victoria today may also have an impact customers in parts of our network.
We will provide an update at 11am.
For more information on today's extreme weather forecast click here.
Extreme weather January 2026
- All of Coliban Water service region
Extreme weather conditions are forecast for Friday 9 January across Victoria, with a catastrophic fire danger rating in the Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central and South West districts, and an extreme rating for Central district. Friday 9 January has been declared a day of Total Fire Ban for the whole State of Victoria.
We encourage central and northern Victorians to keep hydrated, be prepared, and act responsibly with precious water supplies as the region prepares for extreme heat and high demand on our water supply.
Potential impacts
It is likely customers in parts of our network may experience a drop in pressure during peak periods when everyone is using water at the same time.
In the case of a bushfire, firefighters will draw water from fire hydrants which may result in low water pressure for customers.
We use text messages, our website, and social media to inform customers if extreme weather conditions or a bushfire threat are likely to impact the water supply.
You can update your details here or call 1300 363 200.
Reservoir closure
Due to the catastrophic fire rating tomorrow, we have closed our reservoir recreation areas for safety reasons. We'll provide a further update when the areas re-open.
Be prepared
We recommend customers plan ahead in case of an emergency by storing water in containers should water supply be impacted. Get fire ready with information on the Country Fire Authority website.
Keep informed
During a heatwave you should stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring warnings. The latest updates and emergency warnings can be found online at Vic Emergency. Call Triple Zero (000) in a life-threatening emergency. For severe weather-related emergency assistance from the SES, phone 132 500.
Water theft investigation - Trentham
- Trentham
We are investigating instances of water theft in Trentham.
Water theft is a crime that involves someone taking water from the water network without permission. These types of offences can be either a deliberate act or an inadvertent one due to people not knowing the laws.
The instances of water theft are counteracting water carting efforts we have underway in Trentham to help maintain water levels during the hot weather and ensure we continue to provide drinking water to the community.
Having someone illegally take water from our drinking water network negates the benefits of carting water, results in less water for the community and increases the risk of low water pressure during the hot weather.
Some water corporations allow registered water carters to take water from the drinking water network. We only allow water carters to take from the drinking water network when carting for Coliban Water, and for specific reasons such as maintaining supply to a community.
In the Coliban Water region, water carters are required to take from standpipes with permits are required to do so.
We are responsible for the compliance and enforcement of those rules and can investigate and prosecute breaches, such as water theft. Tough penalties apply for illegal take and use of water. These include:
- A maximum fine for intentional water theft and related offences if they cause substantial harm, to $990,000 for companies and $198,000 for individuals
- The suspension or cancellation of licences for taking water and works
- Penalty infringement notices for less serious offences.
If you want to report water theft, you can contact Coliban Water on 1300 363 200 or email coliban@coliban.com.au
Water carting - Heathcote
- Heathcote
We will be carting water to the Heathcote Water Treatment Plant from Wednesday 7 January 2026 until further notice.
Carting water will help to maintain water levels at the plant and prepare for the hot weather forecast this week, ensuring we continue to provide drinking water to the Heathcote community.
Some traffic management may be set up in Heathcote-Redesdale Road near the entry to the Heathcote WTP.
Heathcote customers - this water carting will not impact your water quality. Your water remains safe to drink.
Strathfieldsaye customers - you may notice trucks carrying out this water carting from the standpipe in Tannery Lane, please be aware of extra traffic in the area.
We will continue to monitor the plant daily, to ensure it can keep up with demand.