Water theft warning

Goulburn-Murray Water started the prosecution of 21 people for water theft in 2019-20, with the water authority reaffirming its ‘‘zero-tolerance’’ policy.

It comes after a 55-year-old Tongala man was fined $1500 for taking water without authorisation.

Following the end of the irrigation season, G-MW is reminding customers to keep their water account balance positive to avoid penalties.

Water delivery services manager Warren Blyth said G-MW was continuing to invest in modern metering and telemetry to improve monitoring of groundwater and surface water use, meaning accounts with low balances could be checked frequently and penalty infringement notices issued promptly.

“Zero-tolerance to water theft provides equity of access to limited water resources, and protects those who are doing the right thing,” Mr Blyth said.

“We are committed to helping Victoria maintain its strong compliance record, and water theft affects the whole community because there’s limited water to go around.

“It’s important that individual water users do not adversely impact other users or Victoria’s environmental values.”

Mr Blyth encouraged water users to keep a positive balance in their water allocation bank account, and to have month-to-month and seasonal plans for their water needs.

“We can help you understand the responsibilities for your entitlements, licences and limits, so if you’re not sure, contact us early on if you’re having difficulties meeting your water needs,” he said.

It is illegal for water entitlement holders to take and use more water than allowed under their entitlement. G-MW said individual water users should make sure they had the right authorisations before they took water from a dam, bore, stream, river, creek or irrigation channel.

The Water (Infringements) Regulations 2020 means water users can be fined if they go over their authorised volumes by even a small amount.

Penalty infringement notices can be issued for amounts of water up to 10 Ml.

G-MW has also issued notices of contraventions, warning letters, advisory letters and verbal warnings.

The maximum fine for intentional water theft and related offences under the Water Act 1989 has increased to $990,000 for companies and $198,000 for individuals.