Nyora resident Tom D’Arcy stopped off at the Poowong Recreation Reserve to collected some bottled water for an elderly neighbour, from Tom Robinson of South Gippsland Water.

It’s still beer o’clock at the Poowong Hotel

ONE place where the ‘boil water’ advice wasn’t holding them back during the week was at the Poowong Pub.

The beers and meals were still flowing strong on a busy day last Friday and management couldn’t have been happier with the support they had received from South Gippsland Water, which issued the boil water advice last Thursday.

“They’ve given us two water carts to use, and we’ve put it out on our Facebook page that people can come in here and get their water supplies if they need to,” said Ben Hall, behind the bar at the Poowong Hotel.

“Of course, you can always drink beer!”

Several groups of people had found their way off the beaten track for a counter lunch and a beer or two last Friday, blissfully unaware that there was any problem with the water.

“Really, we’re not drinking water anyway,” said one of the visitors Rod Higgins.

Out front, a motorcycle riding club had stopped off for lunch, also unaware there was a problem with the local water.

“It’s just a nice quiet place to stop for a while,” they said, the chrome of a high-quality selection of motorcycles gleaming in the background including half a dozen Harleys, a couple of late-model BMWs and a modern version of the classic Triumph Bonneville.

What to do

The boil water advisory issued by South Gippsland Water followed the return of a test indicating contamination in the Poowong-Loch-Nyora water supply system with residents advised on Wednesday evening to not drink tap water without boiling first.

They said consumption of unboiled water can cause gastro-like symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact your GP and inform your GP of this advisory,” said South Gippsland Water in a statement yesterday through the Vic Emergency website.

“If you are live or work within Poowong, Loch and Nyora, you must boil tap water before drinking. Or drink bottled water.”

What you should do:

* Boil water before drinking it, or drink bottled water.

* Boil water for food preparation, cleaning fruit and vegetables, making ice and for preparing baby formula.

* Boil water for brushing teeth.

To ensure water is safe, you should:

* Heat water until a continuous and rapid stream of air-bubbles is produced from the bottom of a pan or kettle (kettles with automatic shut-off switches are suitable).

* Allow water to cool before use.

* Store water in a clean, closed container for later use.

* Be careful when boiling water to prevent scalding or burns.

* If you are concerned that you may have been affected by contaminated water, contact your doctor or Nurse-on-Call.

For health advice:

* Call Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24 or see your doctor if you require medical advice.

Impacts in your area:

* South Gippsland Water advises customers in Poowong, Loch and Nyora to boil their drinking water until further notice.

It is expected that the advice notice period will continue into next week, out of an abundance of caution, into test results consistently return negative results for contamination and after a full turnover of water in the system has been completed.

* Water trailers are available at Nyora Recreational Reserve, Poowong Recreational Reserve, Main Street Loch and Speight Street in Loch from 9:30 am on December 4, 2024.

* Further details can be found at sgwater.com.au/alerts

South Gippsland Water is working with local businesses to assist them during this time and supplying bottled water.