Our Services/Drinking water/Where your water comes from
We use a number of water sources to supply customers.
Having access to multiple sources ensures we can meet demand, cater for a growing population and manage water supplies when inflows are low. Western Water makes supply changes twice a year to towns in in our service region.
When local supplies are low, or reservoirs are at decreased capacity, supply changes ensure our customers have access to water that is safe, healthy to drink and meets the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
When water supply changes take effect, some customers may notice a slight change in taste. Naturally occurring minerals can affect how water tastes, without affecting the water quality.
The below table shows the available and current water sources for each town that Western Water services. It is subject to change at any time.
Town
|
Available sources
|
Current source
|
Last change
|
|
Bacchus Marsh & Darley
|
Merrimu Reservoir
Djerriwarrh Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Merrimu Reservoir
|
May 2019
|
|
Bulla
|
Rosslynne Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Melbourne supply system
|
May 2016
|
|
Diggers Rest
|
Rosslynne Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Melbourne supply system
|
May 2016
|
|
Gisborne, New Gisborne and Gisborne South
|
Rosslynne Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Melbourne supply system
|
March 2020
|
|
Lancefield*
|
Lancefield surface water (Garden Hut Reservoir, Lancefield Basin)
Lancefield ground water (local bores)
Local surface water (Rosslynne Reservoir, Romsey surface water)
Melbourne supply system
|
Lancefield surface water
Melbourne supply system
|
March 2020
|
|
Macedon and Mount Macedon
|
Rosslynne Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Melbourne supply system
|
March 2020
|
|
Melton and Melton South
|
Merrimu Reservoir
Djerriwarrh Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Melbourne supply system
|
June 2016
|
|
Myrniong*
|
Pykes Creek Reservoir
|
Pykes Creek Reservoir
|
N/A
|
|
Riddells Creek
|
Rosslynne Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Melbourne supply system
|
March 2020
|
|
Rockbank
|
Merrimu Reservoir
Djerriwarrh Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Melbourne supply system
|
June 2016
|
|
Romsey*
|
Romsey surface water (Kerrie Reservoir, Wright Reservoir)
Romsey ground water (local bore)
Rosslynne Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Romsey surface water
Melbourne supply system
|
March 2020
|
|
Sunbury
|
Rosslynne Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Melbourne supply system
|
May 2016
|
|
Woodend*
|
Woodend system (Campaspe Reservoir, Graham Brock Reservoir, Reservoir C and Mount Macedon reservoirs)
Rosslynne Reservoir
Melbourne supply system
|
Woodend system
|
November 2019
|
* These towns only receive fluoridated water when supplied with water from outside their normal water source. For example, in times of drought water may come from Melbourne or be brought in from other sources. The long term levels of fluoride during these times are below what is expected from a normal fluoridated water supply. For more information about fluoride, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website or call their hotline on 1300 761 874.