Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is advising customers to inspect and monitor hazardous dams on their properties following the earthquakes in north-east Victoria on Wednesday, September 22.
They should look out for any unusual signs of leaks or wall cracks. If you are unsure, seek the services of a suitably qualified engineer.
GMW Water Delivery Services general manager Warren Blyth said the precautionary measures were in line with customers’ Dam Safety Emergency Plan/s and Dam Safety Surveillance Plan/s.
A potentially hazardous dam is any dam on a waterway or a dam as described under Section 67 (1A) of the Water Act 1989 that:
- has a wall 5m or more above ground level downstream of the dam and a capacity of 50ML or more
- has a wall 10m or more above ground level downstream of the dam and a capacity of 20ML or more
- has a wall 15m or more above ground level downstream of the dam, regardless of the capacity; or
- belongs to a prescribed class of dams.
Customers’ existing licence document will indicate if their dam is on or off a waterway.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has produced booklets, Your dam your responsibility and Dam safety emergency plan, to help farm dam owners understand their responsibilities for operating and maintaining dams on their properties.
The booklets can be found at the DELWP website at www.water.vic.gov.au/managing-damsand-water-emergencies/dams/guidance-notes
If customers have any questions about the inspection or monitoring of their dam, please phone the GMW Customer Experience Team on 1800 013 357.
For more information about the earthquake, visit the Geoscience Australia website