This week, the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) and Environment Protection Agency Victoria (EPA) have been working together to better understand and characterise the possible contamination issues presented by Victoria’s regional flooding emergency.
Since Monday 31 October, VICSES members have been collecting samples of flood waters from impacted regions and waterways across Victoria, to further understand the level of risk to human health and the environment.
Once collected, the EPA then tests these samples for bacteria (E. coli, an indicator for faecal contamination) and a range of trace elements (such as metals and metalloids) and contaminants (organic chemicals such as pesticides, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and petroleum hydrocarbons).
Water samples will continue to be collected once a week, for the next three weeks with results made available as soon as possible, along with any health advice that might be necessary.
Floodwater is treated as contaminated water, and usually occurs from naturally occurring sources as well as overflowing sewerage or septic tanks, or agricultural or industrial wastes and chemicals. With an increased amount of floodwater in our catchments, this testing will provide a greater understanding of water quality across the state.
At this stage, sampling from sixteen sites is being worked on with collection from the Snowy River, Goulburn River, Broken Creek, Campaspe River, Loddon River, Murray River, Little Murray River, Lake Nagambie and Lake Eppalock.
To protect your health, always assume that all floodwater is contaminated. Avoid contact with polluted water and sediment if possible, and visit the EPA website for more information on how you can stay safe.
Quotes attributable to EPA Chief Environmental Scientist Professor Mark Taylor
“We treat all flood water as contaminated, and this testing will give us a greater understanding of what the statewide picture looks like.”
“Our testing of the Maribyrnong River flood waters showed a better result than was expected and hopefully that will be the same in our regions, but our advice remains the same, that you should avoid contact with flood waters where possible.”
Quotes attributable to Tim Wiebusch, VICSES Chief Officer Operations
“The results of this study will be critical for Emergency Services and the EPA to inform the provision of guidance for key impacted areas on the risks of floodwater contamination.”
“At VICSES safety drives our decisions, and so it’s vital we work together as part of this critical research to understand the long term affects floodwater can have on our volunteers.”
More information
www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/flood-impacted-rivers
Reviewed 4 November 2022
