Current alerts affecting Port Phillip Bay and its associated water catchments
Avoid water in Yarra River, Abbotsford
Issued Monday 28 April 2025 at 1:45 pm
EPA officers are investigating a milky substance in the Yarra River, Abbotsford. Avoid contact with the water until further notice.
Dredging alongside St Kilda Pier
Issued Monday 28 April 2025 at 12:00 pm
Dredging will start in early May and last for 2-3 weeks. This dredging is essential for safe navigation in the harbour for both commercial and recreational vessels. It also supplies sand for replenishing nearby beaches.
Dredged sand will be spread across the beach north of the pier. This freshly dredged sand may contain organic material, such as seaweed, which gives it a dark colour and mild odour. This material will naturally return to a normal colour and lose its odour after a few days.
Pipes are used to transport the sand and water from the dredge to the beach. Public access to this area will be restricted; the site will be fenced and supervised during operation.
Avoid water in Yarra River, Port Melbourne and Spotswood
Issued Sunday 27 April 2025 at 2:00 pm
Diesel from a vessel has affected the Yarra River near Pier 35 Lorimer Street Port Melbourne and Francis Street Pier Spotswood. Port of Melbourne is co-ordinating the response. Avoid contact with the water until further notice.
Avoid water in Dandenong Creek, Heathmont.
Issued Friday 25 April 2025 at 11:00 am
EPA officers are investigating a milky substance in Dandenong Creek, Heathmont. Avoid contact with the water until further notice.
Issued Thursday 17 April 2025 at 3:00 pm
A daily flow of an additional 150ML/d water for the environment from Upper Yarra reservoir will start 17 April 2025. This release will supplement low flows throughout the system, in particular the lower reaches below Warrandyte. The additional flow will run from 17th April to 1st May.
Avoid water in Cherry Creek and Altona Dog Beach, Altona
Issued Monday, 7 April 2025 at 2:40 pm
A blue-green algal bloom detected in Cherry Lake may be affecting Cherry Creek and Altona Dog Beach downstream of the lake outlet. Impacted water may be discoloured and there may be an odour. Avoid contact with the water until further notice.
Blue-green algal bloom at Cherry Lake
Issued Tuesday, 18 March 2025 at 4:40 pm
A blue-green algal bloom has been detected at Cherry Lake in Altona. Melbourne Water have put signs up at key access points and are conducting weekly testing. Avoid contact with the water until further notice.
Blue-green algal bloom at Round Lake
Issued Tuesday, 18 March 2025 at 4:40 pm
A blue-green algal bloom has been detected at Round Lake in Caroline Springs. Melbourne Water have put signs up at key access points and are conducting weekly testing. Avoid contact with the water until further notice.
Swim advisory for Launching Place at Yarra River
Issued Friday, 8th November 2024 at 2:00 pm
EPA testing has confirmed unacceptable water quality at Launching Place (Don Road). The exact location of poor water quality can be found by zooming in on the pin on the Yarra Watch webpage map. Avoid swimming until further notice by EPA Victoria.
PFAS risk assessment on fish in Maribyrnong River
Issued Tuesday, 7th May 2019 at 2:00 pm.
EPA has conducted a risk assessment on levels of PFAS in fish caught from the Maribyrnong River. As a result EPA recommends anglers don’t consume fish caught from the Maribyrnong River upstream of Solomons Ford in Avondale Heights to Deep Creek at Bulla, and within all of Arundel Creek.
Reviewed 28 April 2025
