Australian Drinking Water Map

Montrose (Victoria) Taste and Odour, Ethyl Benzene, Xylene

14 July 2022, Montrose water sampling locality (WQZ 56)

On 14 July 2022, Montrose High Level Reservoir was returned to service following maintenance. Over the next 6 days, Yarra Valley Water received widespread water quality complaints relating to taste and odour. Customers described the water as having a chemical taste and odour.

Investigations determined that the water was imparted with a taste and odour due to chemicals leaching from a new internal coating that was applied as part of maintenance. There is no risk to public health; all health guidelines as specified in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines were met. The results for Ethylbenzene and Total Xylene were slightly above the aesthetic limit for these parameters, hence the chemical taste and odour in the water.

Yarra Valley Water verbally informed the Department of Health of the complaints on 18 July 2022. Section 22 report was submitted on 19 July 2022. The Department of Health were informed that the reservoir was returned to service on 3 October 2022 after extensive cleaning. Subsequent water samples indicated that there was a minor exceedance in aesthetic quality.

A decision was made to keep the reservoir in service due to water supply risks as a result of extreme weather, which the Department of Health were engaged for consultation on 12 October 2022. A communication plan was developed to manage potential widespread complaints. Between 14 July to 28 October 2022, Yarra Valley Water received 46 taste and
odour complaints. The reservoir was taken offline again on 31 October 2022. After further
cleaning, the reservoir was returned to service on 16 November 2022. Yarra Valley Water provided continuous updates to the Department of Health during this period.

Montrose (Victoria) – Lead

2007/2008: Montrose Lead 0.004mg/L (max), 0.001mg/L (min.)

Lead Guideline reduced from 0.01mg/L to 0.005mg/L in June 2025. “The concentration of lead in water within premises may be higher, especially in older buildings, due to contact of the water with lead-containing plumbing products (enHealth 2021). A review found several Australian and international studies that detected up to 0.162 mg/L of lead in drinking water due to leaching from lead-containing plumbing materials including taps and lead service lines, suggesting that leaching of lead from lead-containing plumbing materials can be substantial (SLR 2023)… Based on health considerations, the concentration of lead in drinking water should not exceed 0.005 mg/L.”

2007/2008 + 2022 July – Montrose (Victoria) – Taste & Odour, Ethyl Benzene, Xylene, Lead

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Montrose (Victoria) Taste and Odour, Ethyl Benzene, Xylene 14 July 2022, Montrose water sampling locality (WQZ 56) On 14 July 2022, Montrose High Level Reservoir was returned to service following maintenance. Over the next 6 days, Yarra Valley Water received widespread water quality complaints relating to taste and odour. Customers described the water as having a chemical taste and odour. Investigations determined that the water was imparted with a taste and odour due to chemicals leaching from a new internal coating that was applied as part of maintenance. There is no risk to public health; all health guidelines as specified in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines were met. The results for Ethylbenzene and Total Xylene were slightly above the aesthetic limit for these parameters, hence the chemical taste and odour in the water. Yarra Valley Water verbally informed the Department of Health of the complaints on 18 July 2022. Section 22 report was submitted on 19 July 2022. The Department of Health were informed that the reservoir was returned to service on 3 October 2022 after extensive cleaning. Subsequent water samples indicated that there was a minor exceedance in aesthetic quality. A decision was made to keep the reservoir in service due to water supply risks as a result of extreme weather, which the Department of Health were engaged for consultation on 12 October 2022. A communication plan was developed to manage potential widespread complaints. Between 14 July to 28 October 2022, Yarra Valley Water received 46 taste and odour complaints. The reservoir was taken offline again on 31 October 2022. After further cleaning, the reservoir was returned to service on 16 November 2022. Yarra Valley Water provided continuous updates to the Department of Health during this period. Montrose (Victoria) – Lead 2007/2008: Montrose Lead 0.004mg/L (max), 0.001mg/L (min.) Lead Guideline reduced from 0.01mg/L to 0.005mg/L in June 2025. “The concentration of lead in water within premises may be higher, especially in older buildings, due to contact of the water with lead-containing plumbing products (enHealth 2021). A review found several Australian and international studies that detected up to 0.162 mg/L of lead in drinking water due to leaching from lead-containing plumbing materials including taps and lead service lines, suggesting that leaching of lead from lead-containing plumbing materials can be substantial (SLR 2023)… Based on health considerations, the concentration of lead in drinking water should not exceed 0.005 mg/L.”