Cyclone Narelle incident update
Exmouth and Onslow water supply updates
Water Corporation thanks residents for their cooperation as crews work to complete repairs as safely and quickly as possible. We also acknowledge and thank emergency services for their continued support during recovery efforts.
Updates will be provided below as work progresses. To report water supply issues, please contact Water Corporation on 13 13 75.
Customer assistance
If you have lost your property or your property was damaged by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle, please submit the below form to apply for assistance.
Incident updates
07 APRIL 2026, AWST 11:00 | INCIDENT UPDATE
Exmouth update
Mains power has been restored to Exmouth’s two borefields, and normal service levels have resumed.We sincerely thank the community for avoiding non-essential water use over the past week. Your efforts allowed Water Corporation crews to manage tank levels and avoid any widespread supply interruptions.
We extend our appreciation to all those who supported recovery work, including DFES, Horizon Power and the Shire of Exmouth.
While normal service levels have resumed, we encourage everyone to remain waterwise.
05 APRIL 2026, AWST 11:00 | INCIDENT UPDATE
Exmouth update
The water storage tank has recovered with water pressure almost back to normal across the network. However, while our northern borefield supplying town has been reconnected to mains power, our southern borefield is still reliant on generators. Until we have mains power fully restored, residents are asked to continue using water sparingly.Onslow update
Permanent repairs to the damaged water main are now complete, and normal water pressure has been restored across Onslow. Thank you to the community for your patience during the repairs.
Extra drinking water for domestic use is still available until Monday, 6 April at Onslow Visitor Centre, 52 Second Avenue, Onslow. Residents are asked to please bring clean, food-grade containers.
We sincerely thank the Shire of Ashburton, Chevron, Onslow Salt, North Western Drainage & Civil, Banfield Contracting, Ertech, and Mineral Resources for their support during this work.
01 APRIL 2026, AWST 11:00 | INCIDENT UPDATE
Onslow and Exmouth residents are asked to continue limiting non-essential water use to help reduce the risk of supply interruptions while repairs continue after ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Exmouth update
Groundwater bores are being reinstated using generators, and tank levels are slowly refilling. Water pressure is expected to gradually increase over the coming days. Residents are asked to continue using water sparingly.
Onslow update
Repair works in Onslow
Crews are working to temporarily repair a damaged water main east of town. Low water pressure will continue until the flood-affected access road can be restored.
Additional drinking water for domestic use will be available in Onslow on Thursday 2 April from 7.30am. Water tankers will be stationed at Onslow Visitor Centre, 52 Second Avenue, Onslow. Residents are asked to please brink clean, food-grade containers.
Water supply is being maintained, but residents can help by:
- Switching off garden reticulation
- Not pressure washing cars, homes, pavement or driveways.
- Keeping showers to under four minutes
- Not pressure washing or hosing down cars, homes, pavements or driveways
- Not filing swimming pools
- Avoiding water-intensive appliances where possible (e.g. washing machines)
- Using a plug in the sink to collect rinse water for reuse
29 MARCH 2026, AWST 13:00 | INCIDENT UPDATE
Exmouth and Onslow residents are asked to continue avoiding non-essential water use to maintain supply as repair efforts continue following ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Work is progressing to re-equip groundwater bores at Exmouth, however, reduced pressure will persist today (Sunday, 29 March). Full supply is likely to be reinstated in coming days following repairs to power transmission lines.
Residents in Onslow will also continue to experience low water pressure until repairs to a damaged water main are completed later this week. Please continue to avoid non-essential travel to Onslow.
Crews are working hard to maintain supply at reduced pressure but require the community’s help to avoid an interruption.
28 MARCH 2026, AWST 16:40 | INCIDENT UPDATE
Low water pressure will persist in Exmouth and Onslow overnight as crews work to repair water infrastructure damaged during Cyclone Narelle.
Please continue avoiding all non-essential water use to help maintain supply within water storage tanks in both communities.
In Exmouth, widespread damage to power infrastructure has impacted groundwater production from two bore fields north and south of the town. Some bores have been restored, with crews onsite and working to connect generators to others.
In Onslow, repairs to a damaged water supply main will be prolonged owing to extensive flooding and the need for complex earthworks.
Tankering is underway to help maintain water storage levels, however, reduced pressure is from this evening as crews work to prevent supply interruptions. Water Corporation and the Shire of Ashburton are also urging all non-essential travel to Onslow to be avoided.
28 MARCH 2026, AWST 12:30 | INCIDENT UPDATE
Residents in Exmouth and Onslow are asked to continue avoiding non-essential water use as repairs continue to damaged infrastructure following Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Water supply is being maintained to both communities, however, low pressure is expected in Exmouth throughout the day (Saturday, 28 March).
This morning, crews restored three groundwater production bores, with work ongoing to re establish power to borefields north and south of Exmouth.
Water levels in the town’s main storage tanks are being maintained, but residents are urged to continue limiting non essential water use wherever possible.
In Onslow, crews are working to repair a damaged pipeline that transfers water from the Cane River Bore Field.
Significant earthworks are required before repairs can begin, however, water supply is currently being maintained using existing tank storage.