Irrigators urged to plan ahead before dewatering campaign starts
TL;DR
Monday 27 April, 2026
Location
Mallee
Monday 27 April, 2026
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is reminding irrigators to plan their water orders now before its 2026 dewatering campaign gets underway.
Each year, GMW dewaters parts of its channel network to undertake crucial maintenance works on assets that are usually beneath the waterline.
This takes places during the irrigation off-season between 16 May and 14 August.
The current irrigation season will end on 15 May 2026, with 10 May being the last day customers are able to place orders. The 2026/27 season then begins on 15 August 2026.
GMW General Manager Water Delivery Services Warren Blyth said irrigators needed to prepare now for the period between seasons when they would not have access to water.
"Customers will not be able to order water during the irrigation off-season, so it is important they have plans in place if they need water during this time, such as filling their tanks and dams in advance," he said.
"I strongly encourage anyone with questions about securing water for the irrigation off-season to get in touch with us to discuss their options as soon as possible."
Mr Blyth said the dewatering campaign provided a number of benefits besides allowing crucial maintenance works to take place on assets.
He said it also enabled GMW to inspect its network and combat aquatic weeds.
"Dewatering channels during the winter is one of the most effective means we have of treating aquatic weeds," he said.
"Exposing weeds to frost helps us kill off large amounts without having to manually treat them with herbicide, making it a very efficient and cost-effective method.
"Dewatering also allows us to inspect more of our channel network, which helps us prioritise future maintenance works."
More information about how people can prepare for the end of the irrigation season can be found on GMW's
end of season webpage.
Customers who may want to use water for irrigation purposes during the irrigation off-season must apply for an Out of Season Agreement from GMW.
For more information, customers can phone GMW on 1800 013 357.