ALPINE residents are being urged to restrict their water use to essential purposes only.
The advice is for residents in Harrietville, Bright, Porepunkah and Wandiligong and follows heavy rain in the fire-affected Ovens River catchment, which pushed a large amount of sediment into the Ovens River.
North East Water executive officer of operations John Day said the corporation had contingencies in place until conditions resolved.
“Our normal treatment processes at Harrietville and in Bright aren’t designed for such dirty water that’s now flowing into the system,” Mr Day said.
“While water is safe to drink in Bright, Porepunkah and Wandiligong, residents are asked to reduce their usage to essential needs to ease demand on the system.
“Water is now being carted into Harrietville from Myrtleford and customers are asked to conserve water to reduce truck traffic on local roads.”
The boil water advisory at Harrietville remains in place for drinking water.