‘Beyond a joke’: Junee residents fed-up with town’s dirty water

JUNEE’S long-running dirty water problem will come under renewed attention later this month, with Goldenfields Water deploying its mobile filtration truck across the town for up to seven weeks.

For years, residents have reported brown and discoloured water flowing from their taps, staining clothes, damaging appliances and fuelling widespread frustration throughout the community.

Now, Goldenfields Water has advised its specialised filtration truck will undertake extensive water mains cleaning works in Junee from Monday, June 29, with crews expected to remain in town for approximately six to seven weeks.

The announcement comes amid ongoing anger from residents who say the issue has persisted for years, despite repeated flushing programs and assurances that the water remains safe to drink.

Some residents say they have been forced to run taps for more than an hour while waiting for the water to clear | Images: Tracy May Gill

Residents regularly share images and videos of discoloured water on local social media pages, with some reporting they have been forced to buy bottled water, install expensive filtration systems and replace damaged household appliances.

Locals are demanding a long-term solution to a problem many believe is linked to ageing pipes and sediment within the network, although the exact cause has never been publicly confirmed.

In a letter distributed to residents this week, Goldenfields Water acknowledged customers may experience water discolouration while the works are underway.

“While all precautions will be undertaken to minimise any impact on our customers during these works, it is possible that you may experience discolouration to your water supply,” the letter states.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and thank residents for their patience and cooperation while this essential work is completed.”

Bath time in Junee | Images: Jaimie Smith/Zoe Bennett

The latest works follow Goldenfields Water’s annual water mains flushing program in Junee last year, which many residents say did little to address the underlying problem.

The extent of the community’s frustration has been laid bare in online discussions, where residents have shared stories of damaged appliances, ruined clothing and ongoing concerns about water quality.

“Beyond a joke”

In an online thread filled with frustration and calls for action, Junee resident Skye Hackett said the cost of living with discoloured water had been substantial.

“I’ve gone through four washing machines and three dishwashers in just 15 years,” she said.

“The amount of clothes ruined along the way is honestly unbelievable. And as for drinking the water? Absolutely not. I’ve been buying bottled water for years because I refuse to trust what’s coming out of the tap.”

Goldenfields Water advises residents the water is safe to drink | Images: Bree Jones/Alex Mcgarrell

Jen Malcolm said she successfully sought reimbursement after clothing and towels were damaged by dirty water.

“I encourage everyone to do the same. Claim reimbursement for damaged washing. Numbers count,” she said.

Tracy May Gill said residents were becoming increasingly frustrated by repeatedly being told to run their taps until the water cleared.

“White sheets! The length of time we run our taps to wait for it to clear is actually just as damaging,” she said.

Clothes often come out of the washing machine dirtier than when they went in | Images: Jen Malcolm

Some locals say they have been forced to run taps for more than an hour while waiting for the water to clear, all while continuing to pay for the water being used.

Goldenfields Water does not compensate residents for bottled water purchases or for water used while flushing taps.

“That’s a hell of a lot of money going down the drain,” Ms Gill said. “Imagine that at every house collectively over the amount of times it happens.”

Ms Gill said a whole-house filtration system installed at her previous property clogged in just four months despite being expected to last a year.

This filter and the sheets in this washing machine are supposed to be white | Images: Tracy May Gill

Leah Belinda described the situation as unacceptable.

“We’re forced to pay for third-world quality water,” she wrote online.

“I’ve got pictures of the bath water looking like mud.”

Images: Jackson Bennett/Leah Belinda

What the filtration truck is expected to do

Goldenfields Water says its new mobile filtration truck represents a major advancement over traditional flushing methods.

Rather than discharging large volumes of water through hydrants and onto the street, the truck connects to two hydrants and creates a temporary above-ground loop.

Water is circulated through a filtration system, cleaned and returned to the pipe network while high-velocity flows stir up sediment and remove build-up from inside water mains.

The utility says the process provides a more thorough clean while significantly reducing water wastage.

Goldenfields Water first trialled the truck in Grong Grong in October 2025 before deploying it in several communities across its network, including most recently in Temora, where it has spent the past several weeks.

Image: Goldenfields Water

Chairperson Alan White has previously described early results as “impressive”, saying the technology could significantly reduce discoloured water complaints and potentially save millions of dollars in future infrastructure costs if long-term results continue.

However, while Goldenfields Water says the technology has produced promising results elsewhere, there has been no suggestion the works will permanently eliminate Junee’s discoloured water issues.

What residents need to know

Goldenfields Water is urging residents to report every incident of discoloured water as soon as it occurs.

The utility says each report helps document the problem, investigate potential causes and allows crews to respond quickly by flushing affected sections of the network.

Residents are encouraged to take photographs or videos where possible and submit them with their report.

Customers who experience discoloured water are advised to run the tap closest to their water meter until the water clears before drinking or washing clothes.

If the water does not clear, residents should contact Goldenfields Water immediately.

Images: Maddie Quinn/Alan Campbell

Residents undergoing dialysis are also being asked to notify Goldenfields Water before the works commence.

Customers seeking information about compensation for damaged clothing, washing machines, dishwashers or other appliances are encouraged to contact Goldenfields Water directly.

Reports can be made by calling 6977 3200 during business hours or 1800 800 917 after hours.

For a community that has endured years of discoloured water complaints, stained washing and mounting frustration, residents will be watching closely to see whether the seven-week maintenance program delivers any noticeable improvement.