Guyra water gets tick of approval

Council workers reattaching the Malpas Dam pontoon to its moorings. The pontoon broke loose last year.
14th Jan 2025

While the warmer weather has seen an increase in the natural occurrence of Blue Green Algae (BGA), Armidale Regional Council (ARC) says that Guyra residents can rest assured that their drinking water is free from toxicity and safe for consumption.
According to the 2024 Drinking Water Monitoring Report which was released on December 19, 2024, the Guyra water supply fully complies with the national drinking water guidelines.
ARC said based on the report’s results, the Guyra water system has received the “tick of approval,” confirming that the water treated at the Guyra Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is safe.
Routine water sampling and testing has been conducted, following the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011), covering physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics, including the presence of E. coli.
The pontoon at Malpas Dam - which had broken loose in early 2024, rendering the pipeline inoperable – has also been fixed. The pontoon houses the extraction pump for the Malpas to Guyra Pipeline and water from Malpas Dam serves as a backup water source for the Guyra WTP in case Guyra Dam runs dry.
While Guyra and Malpas dams are still on Red Alert for BGA, ARC is doing everything possible to reassure residents their drinking water has been tested and continues to be safe.
Residents connected to Raw Water (raw water is defined as water that has not undergone treatment at a Treatment Plant) are advised not to use this water for domestic or livestock purposes during this algal alert as the algae is toxic at these levels.
Recreational activities at Malpas Dam, such as fishing, kayaking, and similar activities, are not recommended until further notice.
Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact ARC’s customer service team at 1300 136 833 or email council@armidale.nsw.gov.au