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Gippsland Water installs filter-to-waste system to better protect Maffra drinking water from contamination risks

Gippsland Water has installed a filter-to-waste system at Maffra treatment plant, improving drinking water protection, reducing supply disruptions, and strengthening resilience against pollution, storms, bushfires and other water quality events.

By news@gippsland - 30th July 2026 - Back to News

Gippsland Water has installed a filter-to-waste system at the Maffra water treatment plant, to further safeguard drinking water for local communities. Managing director Sarah Cumming said the system would reduce the risk of disruptions. "This project was about protecting drinking water quality from upstream agricultural activities, storms and bushfire events, which had impacted the Macalister River in the last decade."

The new filter-to-waste system will protect drinking water quality, save money on treatment costs, and ensure a faster return to operations following an agricultural or weather event

Water quality protected

Ms Cumming said, "In December 2023, agricultural discharge into the Macalister River significantly impacted salinity, colour and turbidity of the river water, leading to increased treatment costs and supply interruptions. Similar instances over the years have seen our customers ultimately bear the costs and inconveniences of service disruptions due the actions of other parties upstream, which is unacceptable."

Ms Cumming said the upgrade would provide an extra layer of protection for Maffra, Stratford and Boisdale customers. "Early identification of river water quality gives us the ability to manage the treatment process and ensure supply and quality is maintained. It will also strengthen water supply continuity for customers and make it quicker to get our treatment processes back to normal during and following events."

The new system continuously monitors the quality of water during the filtration process and diverts water that doesn’t meet quality standards to a dedicated lagoon. Once filtered water quality returns to acceptable standards, flows are redirected back into the treated water storage, to be distributed to customers. Customers should contact Gippsland Water on 1800 057 057 if they notice any unusual activities in the Macalister River and Glenmaggie Catchment that could impact river quality and the community’s drinking water supply.

Pictures from Gippsland Water website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Latrobe City Council is seeking community feedback on its draft 10-year Nature Plan, outlining priorities to protect biodiversity, restore landscapes and engage residents. Public submissions close on 31 August 2026.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• Darren Chester welcomes progress on critical Krauatungalung Walk boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on the Krauatungalung Walk’s next stage, with local firm DesignCo Builders awarded the contract to complete the critical boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance.
• Darren Chester welcomes progress on critical Krauatungalung Walk boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed progress on the Krauatungalung Walk’s next stage, with local firm DesignCo Builders awarded the contract to complete the critical boardwalk link at Lakes Entrance.
• Darren Chester calls for Aged Care Minister's resignation over home support delays
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae's resignation, citing lengthy Support at Home delays, unanswered assistance requests and thousands of deaths while awaiting support.
• Darren Chester welcomes Mallacoota students to Parliament House during Canberra visit, discussing democracy and the role of elected representatives
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed Mallacoota P-12 College students to Parliament House during their Canberra visit, discussing Federal Parliament, democracy and the role of elected representatives.
• Bass Coast invites community feedback on new decade-long nature positive strategy for environmental protection and restoration until 15 October 2026
  Bass Coast Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Nature Positive Strategy, guiding environmental protection, restoration and enhancement across the region over the next decade.
• Coalition urges Labor to block foreign-backed Cobungra Station sale and protect productive farmland from carbon projects
  The Coalition has urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers and FIRB to reject the proposed foreign-backed purchase of Cobungra Station, warning productive farmland should remain dedicated to food production, not carbon projects.
• Upgraded Traralgon Indoor Stadium welcomes more community sport and elite events with $6M investment
  A $6 million upgrade to Traralgon Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium delivers improved facilities, creates local jobs, and positions the venue to attract more elite sporting events and community participation.
• Six Latrobe Valley businesses receive funding to diversify, boost productivity and strengthen supply chains during economic transition
  Six Latrobe Valley businesses will receive funding through the Gippsland Supply Chain Resilience Program to improve productivity, purchase equipment, expand markets and strengthen supply chains amid regional economic transition.
• Darren Chester says Labor's national firearms buyback unfairly targets law-abiding regional firearm owners instead of addressing crime and security
  Nationals representatives Gemma Rendell, Darren Chester and Bridget McKenzie joined East Gippsland firearm owners in Bairnsdale, opposing Labor's buyback and further restrictions while supporting lawful firearm use in regional communities.
• Latrobe Regional Gallery unveils spring exhibitions celebrating place, culture, community, history and the natural world
  Latrobe Regional Gallery spring program features five exhibitions exploring Gippsland places, community, culture, history and nature, alongside Japanese traditions and contemporary artistic responses.
• Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
  Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere.
• Sale residents urged to safely dispose of hazardous household chemicals at free Detox Your Home event on 10 October 2026
  Wellington Shire residents can safely dispose of unwanted hazardous household chemicals at a free Detox Your Home event in Sale, helping protect waterways, people, animals and the environment.