Bird flu safety and your water

We’re monitoring the H5 bird flu situation in Victoria and working closely with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and relevant government agencies to help keep our customers and communities safe.

About H5 bird flu 

H5 bird flu is a disease that mainly affects birds and wildlife. It has been detected along much of Victoria’s coastline and some inland locations.

While it can spread easily between birds and can spread to mammals, it rarely spreads from birds to humans and the risk to human health is low.

Avoid. Record. Report.

If you see sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife:

• AVOID contact with sick or dead wild birds or wildlife and their environment
• RECORD what you see
• REPORT online through the Agriculture Victoria website or call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

For carcass disposal advice, see Managing dead birds and wildlife on your land.

For the latest information about H5 bird flu in Victoria, including reporting requirements and health advice, visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

Drinking water remains safe

Treated drinking water is safe to drink. 

The processes we use to treat your drinking water, including disinfection with chlorine, are effective against H5 bird flu.

We regularly monitor water quality throughout our service area to ensure your drinking water meets strict quality standards and remains safe. Visit our water quality webpage to find out more.

Although infected birds can contaminate water sources, it is unlikely you can catch H5 bird flu from drinking contaminated water.

Recycled and untreated water

You can continue to use your water supplies as usual.
Class A recycled water remains safe to use for its intended uses, including washing clothes, flushing toilets, watering gardens and washing vehicles.

Class B and C recycled water should continue to be used according with existing customer supply agreements. Open recycled water storages could become contaminated from sick or dead birds after treatment processes. See below for more information about suspected water contamination.

Untreated water supplied to customers should be used following existing requirements and controls. Please remember that untreated water is not disinfected, is not suitable for drinking or food preparation, and could become contaminated from sick or dead birds.

What to do if you suspect water contamination

Take care if you suspect supplied water has been contaminated by sick or dead birds or wildlife and their droppings, especially if you:

• Have open recycled water storages. 
• Use untreated water.

If you suspect water is contaminated by sick or dead birds:  

• Do not use it to irrigate fruit or vegetables that are eaten raw.  
• Assess whether the recycled water remains suitable for its intended use, including livestock watering or agricultural use. Seek information from the Agriculture Victoria website.   
• Follow your site's established procedure if you’re unsure about your recycled water quality, and contact us on 1300 117 080 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm) or email [email protected] if you have concerns about your recycled water supply.

Keep informed

We’ll keep this page up to date with the latest information about H5 bird flu and your water supply.

We'll contact affected customers directly and provide information about any action they need to take if H5 bird flu impacts our drinking water, recycled water or untreated water supplies. 

For the latest information about H5 bird flu in Victoria, including reporting requirements and health advice, visit the Agriculture Victoria website.