ABC Wimmera

Topic: Water Supply

Tuesday, 7 July 2026, at 8:30 am

Kaniva was a town in Victoria without drinking water.

In short:

Kaniva had no drinking water from the main supply until last month.

People in Kaniva used rainwater and bore water for over a hundred years.

What's next?

Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water says people connected to the town's bore water can now get drinking water.

A town in western Victoria now has drinking water from the main supply.

Kaniva is a town with about 900 people, 114 kilometers west of Horsham.

On June 26, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water connected a pipeline to the Dimboola Water Treatment Plant.

People used rainwater and bore water for a long time, but some will keep using tank water due to water prices.

The town's bore water is now part of the main drinking water supply.

A teacher in Kaniva was surprised that people used rainwater for drinking.

He said it was a surprise.

He wanted clean water for the town.

He felt sorry for people without many rainwater tanks.

It's hard for people without much water, especially in summer.

A teacher in Kaniva wanted drinking water for the town.

The new water will help with hygiene and save businesses money.

Rainwater is not always available, and when it's dry, people struggle.

Families are used to not having drinking water, so they didn't complain.

Some people are worried about the cost of the new water.

The teacher thinks the new water will help people who don't have water security.

If the town has water, it will be healthier and better.

A businessman said the new water will help his business.

The new water is good for cleaning and doesn't leave stains.

People in Kaniva used rainwater and bore water for a long time.

A community is divided about the new water.

A caravan park manager will keep using rainwater.

She said she doesn't need the new treated water.

She thinks it's cheaper to use rainwater.

She won't use as much water to save money.

People connected to rainwater need to switch to the main water line.

Households on bore water will get the new water automatically.

The new water will help caravan park residents who had to buy their own water.

It will be easier for them now.

A former president of the Lions Club said people are worried about water prices.

He said people think their water bills will double.

People are concerned about how much their bills will increase.

He thinks it's good for the town, but it will take time to adjust.

The water company said a typical customer will pay an extra $83 per quarter.

That's about $6.38 per week or 91 cents per day.

The new water meets Australian drinking water guidelines.

Tuesday, 7 July 2026, at 8:30 am

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