Closure of Mildura's Water Play Park

Published on 22 March 2016

The Water Play Park on Mildura’s riverfront will remain closed to the public until further notice.

We initially closed the park yesterday afternoon (Monday 21 March 2016) following a non-compliant water test result.

Routine microbiological testing indicated the water quality of the facility was not within parameters set out by the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009.

Indicators within the water sample showed the presence of coliform bacteria. We are investigating the possible causes for the presence of coliforms, which can be found in aquatic environments, soil, vegetation and the faeces of warm blooded animals. While coliforms themselves are not normally causes of serious illness, their presence is used as an indicator that other pathogenic organisms may be present.

After receiving the test results we took immediate action with a prescribed water treatment program at the facility, as is required under Public Health regulations. We are continuing to treat the water within the system and the plant and equipment that runs the water play park.

Further water samples from the facility have been taken today and sent to a Melbourne laboratory for testing. Unfortunately we will not receive initial results of these tests until this Thursday 23 March, at the earliest. We have therefore made the decision to keep the facility closed to the public until we are confident the water quality is back to an acceptable level.

We appreciate how much the community loves the Water Play Park and understand that closing it is an inconvenience and disappointment. However public health and safety is our number one priority and we are not willing to compromise on that.

We will ideally have the facility back operational in time for this coming Easter long weekend, however we simply cannot guarantee that at this time.

We will keep you informed as further information comes to hand and in the meantime we thank you for your understanding in this matter.