Power outages – water impacts

Energy companies are encouraging all Australians to be prepared for power outages to their home. Their ‘Know what to do when it happens to you’ page has tips like having backup torches, batteries, food, water and medical supplies ready to go in your home. They also have advice for people who need power for medical reasons or life support, on how to prepare in advance.

Power outages can affect your tap water supply and sewerage services too, such as where water is sent to homes with electric pumps, or if local water or sewage treatment plants are affected by outages. Weather events, maintenance and broken pipes can cause interruptions. Your water provider will tell you beforehand about planned water interruptions, but they can’t always warn you about sudden or unplanned interruptions. While your water company will be working hard to get the water back on, it can help to have made plans.

You should also know how to stay in touch with your water provider at the time, such as their website and 24 hour contact phone number. If you are preparing a power outage plan, you could include some notes on water at the back, like writing down the phone number for your water provider as you may not have internet access. If you don’t know who your water supplier is, look at your water bills or ask your local council.

It’s a good idea to keep some bottles of water in your home, for drinking and washing until your water provider fixes the problem. Some customers need water for medical reasons like home haemodialysis. If you have specific needs for water, talk to your water provider in advance about services for customers with specific needs, what steps you can take in advance, how they will help when water supply is interrupted, and any steps you should follow. This might include training from your dialysis provider.

To find out more, contact your water provider.