Flood contamination sampling and analysis - regional Victoria

The Victoria State Emergency Service, the Environment Protection Authority and Natural Hazards Research Australia are actively working together to better understand and characterise possible floodwater contamination during flooding in Victoria in October and November 2022.

Beginning in late October and taking place over several weeks, VICSES members collected samples of floodwaters from regional locations around Victoria to further understand the level of risk to human health and the environment.

Testing locations are:

• Barwon River, Barwon Heads and Geelong 
• Broken River, Shepparton 
• Campaspe River, Echuca, Kyneton and Rochester (upstream and downstream)
• Coliban River, Eppalock
• Goulburn River, Echuca, Goulburn Weir, Lake Nagambie and Shepparton
• Little Murray River, Swan Hill
• Murray River, Swan Hill
• Murray River, Echuca
• Snowy River at Bete Bolong, Orbost and Marlo

EPA are testing the floodwater samples for bacteria (E. coli, an indicator for faecal contamination) and a range of trace elements (such as metals and metalloids) and contaminants (organic chemicals such as pesticides, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and petroleum hydrocarbons).

By partnering with this research, Natural Hazards Research Australia will ensure the results are shared nationally with emergency services to help them educate communities about the many dangers floodwaters pose.

For more information see the EPA website.