Barwon Water is engaging with the Apollo Bay community, including Marengo and Skenes Creek to better understand local insights, priorities and values when it comes to a sustainable and resilient water future.

With forecast growth in Apollo Bay, and potential impacts of a changing climate, we’ll need to take action within the next decade to maintain a reliable supply of water over the long-term to support a vibrant and sustainable region.

We’re eager to understand and support the values and priorities of residents and rate payers, businesses, community groups and regular visitors and work together to plan for long-term water security, climate resilience, affordability, a healthy environment and any other key values that the community shares.

The Apollo Bay system

All water for Apollo Bay supply system (including Marengo and Skenes Creek) is harvested solely from the Barham River, which is then stored in two storage basins in Apollo Bay and Marengo.

Over the summer and autumn period, when there is less water available in the river, stored water is drawn down to meet customer water demand.

The water supply can therefore be vulnerable to very dry conditions during summer and autumn.

This year has been a particularly dry year at Apollo Bay. It has been the third driest October to January period in 50 years at Apollo Bay. We’ve been closely monitoring stream flows and storage levels. In response to dry conditions, stage two water restrictions were introduced in Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek from Monday 7 April.

We have the following local projects happening, all helping to support a sustainable resilient water future.