Discoloured, or dirty looking water generally occurs when there is a disturbance to the natural sediment build-up within the mains.
The most common causes of discoloured water are:
- A main water break or burst
- Increase level of water usage in the area during peak holiday periods
- Scouring the mains as part of routine maintenance
If you are experiencing dirty water, we recommend you consult with neighbours to establish if there is a problem in your area, or if the problem is isolated to your house or property.
Do not use any water inside your premises until the problem has been resolved.
Steps to report a problem
What to do with stained washing
If you have experienced stained washing from a discoloured water event, try soaking the wet washing straight away before the particles of sediment have a chance to dry and get lodged in the fabric. There are a few good products available from the supermarket which can assist in whitening laundry, or you can make contact with us for a free cleaning kit.
After a good soak, try washing the laundry again. If the re-soaked washing is still stained after a second wash, we may be able to help. Contact us through the "How to report" a problem link above.
More information
We regularly undertake maintenance on the water supply system through a process known as 'flushing'. The flushing process consists of cleaning or ‘scouring’ the interior of the water mains by sending a rapid flow of water through them.
Our maintenance program helps to remove sediment build-up that can accumulate normally within the water supply system. We notify residents prior to any planned scouring scheduled to occur.