The Newlyn Reservoir Action Group was established on Monday, 19 March 2001, when over 40 people from Allendale, Broomfield, Kingston, Newlyn, Smeaton, Springmount and surrounding districts in the Central Highlands region of Victoria, Australia, attended a public meeting held at Newlyn to voice their concerns about the poor quality of the local reticulated water supply.

The present source of this water supply is groundwater obtained from a series of bores located at Forest Hill, Kingston. The groundwater is of poor domestic quality. It is very hard (230mg/L CaCO3) and has a high salt content of over 440mg/L Total Dissolved Solids.

The hardness and high salt content of the bore water causes:

• Extensive corrosion and scaling of pipes, heating elements in jugs, hot water services and commercial appliances such as urns, cappuccino making machines and dishwashers. (If scale collects on heating elements it shortens their life, makes appliances less efficient and uses more electricity to heat and boil water).
• Dripping taps caused by corrosion and/or sediment buildup of tap washers.
• Build-up of salt and/or calcium around taps and inlet & outlet pipes and shower walls.
• Skin and eye problems resulting from washing, showering & bathing.
• Soaps & detergents don’t lather effectively. It can also cause “tide marks” on basins, sinks, baths and toilets.
• A white film is left on glassware, crockery & cutlery and automobiles after washing.
• And, the bore water can cause health problems for people on salt limited diets.

The public meeting resolved to form a committee to be called the ‘Newlyn Reservoir Action Group’. The committee will:

• Request Central Highlands Water to abandon the Forest Hill Bore water supply and return to the Newlyn Reservoir supply and to install a water treatment system.
• Seek compensation for damages caused by the reticulated bore water supply.
• Provide a platform for people to air their opinions and to be heard.
• Take whatever action is necessary, as a group, to get the source of the water supply returned to the Newlyn Reservoir.
• Seek the support of local Members of Parliament.