We know an extended interruption to your water supply, low pressure, or a Boil Water Advisory is inconvenient - and not the standard of service we've committed to.

On Tuesday 11 April 2023 many of our customers in Kyneton experienced an interruption to their water supply following a burst water main, which progressed to a Boil Water Advisory for Kyneton and Malmsbury.

As part of our Customer and Community Rebates Program, we will apply a small credit to customers' bills by way of apology. We will also provide two Community Rebates values at $5,000 each (one for the Kyneton community and one for the Malmsbury community).

As a wholly customer-funded service provider, these rebates are a tangible way for us to acknowledge we have not met customers' expectations.

Customers in Kyneton and Malmsbury will automatically receive one of the following Customer Rebates on their May 2023 Coliban Water bill.

$50 Customer Rebate

For customers who experienced a water supply interruption of more than five hours.

$30 Customer Rebate

For customers who experienced a water supply interruption of less than five hours. While not covered by the Community Rebate program, the $30 amount is being applied as a goodwill gesture for customers.

We are also providing community groups with the opportunity to apply for one of two Community Rebates valued at $5,000 each.

One Community Rebate will be awarded in Kyneton and one in Malmsbury following an expression of interest process.

The Community Rebates are designed to provide the whole community with a tangible benefit following the supply interruption and are structured to allow communities to identify a project or initiative of real community benefit.

Applications for the Community Rebates close on Friday 9 June 2023.

Recipients will be announced on Monday 10 July 2023. Recipients will be notified by phone and email and shared on our website and social media accounts.

Our Customer and Community Rebates program was introduced as part of the 2018 Price Submission. The rebates are applied when we fail to meet nominated service standards for our customers.

Kyneton and Malmsbury's water supply is delivered through a highly pressurised network of pipes. The pressure is a necessary part of ensuring the treated water delivered to both communities from the Kyneton Water Treatment Plant meets all Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

On most occasions when a water main bursts, we can repair the fault without impacting supply.

The large water main that burst on 11 April quickly drained the treated water available in our storages at the Plant, and also reduced water pressure in our supply network. When this happens there is a risk that dirt or natural debris can enter the drinking water supply, either at the site of the burst or elsewhere.

When this happens, we implement a Boil Water Advisory in consultation with the Department of Health.