Tallangatta outdoor water use – updates
22 January 2026 | 1.00pm
A huge thank you to everyone in Tallangatta who reduced their water use over the past 24 hours.
With your help, we were able to keep up with drinking water demand while our treatment plant operated more slowly due to bushfire runoff.
The level of dirty water has now decreased, and the plant is functioning normally again.
You can now return to using your water supply as usual. Thank you once again for your support during this period.
Please note that this issue is likely to continue over the coming months, as rainfall washes additional bushfire runoff into our catchments and creates further water treatment challenges.
While we are doing everything possible to prepare for these future dirty water events, we may need to call on the community to again to support a reduction in water usage.
22 January 2026 | 10.30am
North East Water is continuing to gradually increase drinking water storage levels in Tallangatta after bushfire runoff slowed our water treatment plant, making it challenging to meet the town’s demand.
We still need help in reducing outdoor water usage to help us to keep up with drinking water supplies.
Please refrain from watering your garden or lawn and avoid filling or topping up any swimming pools. You could also help by taking shorter showers, and using the washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full.
We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your support in reducing water usage.
We will keep you updated on this issue via our website and social media until the issue is rectified.
21 January 2026 | 2.00pm
We are asking Tallangatta residents to be mindful of their outdoor water use until further notice.
Bushfire runoff has caused dirty water in Lake Hume at the location where we extract the town’s water supply, and our water treatment plant is running slower to manage this issue.
As a result, our treated water storage is running low. To help maintain supply, we have begun carting additional water from Wodonga to the town.
With everyone helping to reduce their water usage, this will allow our team to make sure that there is no shortage in drinking water supplies.
Most domestic water is used outside on gardens and lawns, so we’re urging people to hold-off on watering, and not to fill or top-up any swimming pools.
Other simple things to reduce consumption include taking shorter showers, only using the washing machine and dishwasher when full, and also brushing teeth with the tap off.
Please be assured that town water remains safe to drink. If you experience low water pressure or discoloured water, please contact us at 1300 361 644 at any time, day or night.
We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your support during this time. We will keep you updated on this issue via our website and social media until the issue is rectified.