‘Not safe to drink water’: Urgent warning after dead rodent found in Victorian reservoir

Residents have been urged to boil tap water before drinking after a dead rodent was found in a reservoir along Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

Those in Flinders, Point Leo and Shoreham have been warned it is not safe to drink water without boiling it first after a dead rodent was found in the Shoreham Reservoir.

The grim discovery was made during a maintenance inspection on Thursday.

A Victoria Emergency alert stated drinking the water without boiling it could lead to diarrhoea, cramps, headaches or other gastro-like symptoms.

“Water contaminated with germs can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains,” the alert said.

“E. coli itself is not necessarily harmful, but finding it means that the drinking water may be contaminated with other germs that can cause illness.

“Low water pressure and interruptions to water supply can lead to a build-up of bacteria that can make people sick.”

South East Water is investigating the incident and has advised people to boil water before drinking, mixing cold drinks, preparing food, making ice, brushing teeth and gargling.

Babies and toddlers should be sponge-bathed to prevent them from swallowing water, while pets should be given cooled boiled water or water from elsewhere.

South East Water general manager service delivery Tim Lloyd said a community update would be issued “as soon as possible”, and the Department of Health and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) were being updated on the situation.

“We’re sorry for the inconvenience to the impacted communities,” Mr Lloyd said.

He said the warning was issued as a “precaution”.

“As our water is such high quality, it only needs minimal chlorination,” he said.

“If undisinfected water enters the system, the risk to health is low. However, we’re issuing this boil water advisory notice as a precaution.

“Special care should be taken with young children, people whose immune system is compromised, and the elderly.

“We take seriously our responsibility to protect the water supply to make sure it meets our high standards.”

Emergency drinking water is available at Flinders Civic Hall and Shoreham Recreation Reserve, while people were urged to visit their local doctor or call Nurse on Call if experiencing vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pains.

Victoria Emergency instructed residents to heat water “until a continuous and rapid stream of air bubbles is produced from the bottom of a pan or kettle”.

“Allow water to cool before use,” the alert stated.

“Store water in a clean, closed container for later use. Be careful when boiling water to prevent scalding or burns.”