Dumbleyung and surrounds left short of water supply following bushfire-induced damage

Residents in Dumbleyung and surrounding areas have been asked to use as little water as possible after damage to the region’s water supply.

Scheme water customers in Dumbleyung, Kukerin, Tincurrin, Dongolocking, Collanilling, Norman’s Lake, Ballaying, Nippering, Gundaring, Moulyinning and Nairibin are being asked only to use water for essential purposes after the local water pipeline was impacted by last week’s bushfires.

Water Corporation Great Southern regional manager Adrian Stewart said the Wickepin to Dumbleyung pipeline had sustained “extensive damage”.

“At this stage, it is expected repairs will be complete and water restored later this week,” Mr Stewart said on Monday.

“We will continue to keep the community updated on timings.”

While residential customers had not lost water supplies as of Monday night, at least 40 farming customers will be without their non-potable supply until the pipe is repaired.

Water Corporation has been carting water to supply tanks in Dongolocking and Collanilling, though the levels of both tanks remain low.

On Monday, Dumbleyung Shire president Julie Ramm said locals were trying to do the right thing.

“We have been trying to get the message to people out there, but they don’t necessarily know and our disappointment is with the ‘Water Corp’ and how long it is taking them to restore supply,” she said.

Mr Stewart said crews worked across the weekend to repair the pipeline to operational standard.

Free bottled water is still available from the Elders General Store in Tincurrin, the Dumbleyung and Kukerin general stores.

Non-potable water for livestock can also be carted from the water tanks located at Kukerin Showgrounds.

“We would like to thank the community for their cooperation and understanding while we complete these critical repairs,” he said.

Residents are asked to call the Water Corporation’s operations centre on 131 375 if they have any issues