The Australian Red Cross PDF booklet Cleaning up after Flooding offers practical advice for residents returning to flood affected homes.

Access to parks and forests

Many parks and forests across the state are closed due to widespread damage. Some popular areas have suffered extensive damage, including the Grampians National Park.

We strongly advise anyone considering a trip anywhere in regional Victoria to make sure they check the conditions before they leave. Up to date information can be found on the Parks Victoria website and on DSE’s website.

Floodwater risks

Floodwater can contain contaminates like animal waste, agricultural chemicals and petrol. Swimming in floodwaters, swollen creeks, rivers and other tributaries should be avoided at all times. If you are unsure whether it is safe to swim in a river that has been affected by floodwaters, seek advice from the local council.

Quality of water

Local catchment management authorities (CMAs), water authorities and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority are regularly monitoring water quality to determine the impact on consumptive supplies and the environment.

For those members of the community who are on town supply for drinking water, the relevant water authority will advise its customers if the water is unsafe to drink, use for cooking, cleaning, bathing or for use by livestock, via local media and their websites.

Hazardous waste

EPA Victoria is working with local councils, farmers and landowners on disposal of waste related to the flood event.

Oil/petrol/scum spills

If the oil/petrol/scum spill is a small amount (less than 10 litres) and you are able to safely remove or contain the waste, this should be placed in a container for disposal at a licensed landfill.

If this is not possible, aim to keep the area contained (for instance by building a barrier out of soil to contain the spill) and contact EPA’s North-West regional office on 03 5438 1000 for assistance. Larger spills should be reported to the EPA’s Pollution Watch Line on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).

Blackwater safety

Blackwater may affect river systems across Victoria during flood events. Blackwater occurs when accumulations of organic matter, such as eucalypt leaves and twigs, decay in wetlands or waterways draw oxygen from the water.

While the low dissolved oxygen levels associated with blackwater may result in a large number of fish deaths, blackwater is a natural occurrence and is generally not toxic to humans or stock.

However, as the blackwater has been created by floodwaters, which can contain contaminates, such as animal waste, agricultural chemicals and dead fish, it is not advised that people drink from or swim in blackwater affected systems.

Reporting fish deaths

There are sometimes a large number of fish deaths associated with floodwaters.

Response to fish deaths is managed by EPA Victoria. If the deaths are determined to be due to natural causes such as blackwater, the EPA will generally hand the management to the relevant authority such as. DSE, CMA or local council.

The EPA encourages people to report fish deaths to its Pollution Watch Line on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).