Flooding health risks: Water can cause disease; check electricity and gas before turning it on; sewerage system intact
Residents across flood-affected areas are being urged to take care in flood waters and as flood water recedes.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Angie Bone joined Greater Shepparton City Council’s flood information forum on Wednesday night by video link, alongside GV Health’s clinical director Will Cross.
Audio issues meant they couldn’t address the public directly, but Dr Bone said there was risks of illness when coming into contact with flood waters, “especially where sewers are overflowing”.
She warned of potential gastro, diarrhoea, and vomiting outbreaks from people touching flood water with exposed skin, as well as warning people not to let open wounds come into contact with water.
She encouraged people not to let pets or children play in flood water.
“Wear appropriate clothing, wash your hands, cover up cuts, and flood water can get into drinking water but that's not a concern here,” Dr Bone said.
Dr Bone, who sent slides through to Greater Shepparton City Council chief executive Peter Harriott to read them during the forum, said mental ill-health was a "major issue" during events like this.
“It’s normal to experience a range of emotions in an event like this. Look after yourself and reach out to your loved ones,” Dr Bone said.
“Talk it through and grab the assistance provided if you're feeling overwhelmed. 1300 375 330 is one line which will help."
Dr Bone also said mosquitos and mosquito-borne diseases could become an issue in coming weeks, with insects breeding in stagnant water.
She encouraged people to cover exposed skin as much as possible.
Victoria State Emergency Service northern region manager Ray Jasper said people returning to properties which had been flooded should ensure they get the gas and electricity checked before turning it back on.
He said if there was a gurgling noise from gas pipes, people should turn them back off, while if water had risen above powerpoints or affecting wiring under the floors they should wait until an electrician could inspect the home before turning power on.
Mr Jasper said using portable generators inside could kill through carbon monoxide poisoning.
Goulburn Valley Water general manager of operations Daniel Flanagan said drinking water had stayed safe in all towns across Greater Shepparton and sandbagging efforts at water treatment plant held up.
Mr Flanagan said the sewer system "in general" held up, but at the height people might have noticed it was slow to drain/flush.
"The river did inundate the sewer system and that did overflow. Most of that was storm water but some of it may be sewerage so please be careful,“ he said.
“No flood water got into the waste treatment facility.”
He said all sewer pumping stations in Shepparton except one were “back up and operational” but some toilets and drains in lower-lying areas might be flushing or draining weakly.
The situation was a bit more more challenging in Mooroopna, Mr Flanagan said, with eight pumping stations offline.
“We’ve got diesel pumps working at the moment but they'll be turned off at 10pm and back on at 6am because they're quite loud,” he said.
He said there were sewerage issues in Murchison and thanked the community members for their patience.
"If you're seeing issues, jump on our website and let us know. However, for the important part is the water is safe to drink,’’ Mr Flanagan said.
"Water is safe to drink but conditions in the river are changing rapidly and we're optimising the treatment process. Some of those organic (bodies) can get through, it's absolutely safe to drink but there may be a bit of a taste.’’