Water usage and supply

Malpas Dam is located to the south east of Guyra and to the north of Armidale. It was built as the major water supply for the city of Armidale. Its construction was completed in 1968 and currently has a storage capacity of 13,000 million litres with expansion capabilities to 26,000 million litres.

Puddledock Dam was designed and constructed in 1928 by the Public Works Department as the water supply for Armidale city and the surrounding area. Following the completion of Malpas Dam in 1968, Puddledock Dam was taken out of service and is now used as an emergency water supply only.

Guyra's water supply system extracts water from the Gara River system with two dams located on the river north of Guyra. The first dam was constructed in 1957, with a second dam added in 1967 to supplement the supply storage.

Water is pumped to the Council’s water treatment plant and then the treated water is pumped to the two town reservoirs. The pump line to the treatment works had augmentation works completed in 1981 with the addition of the second larger town reservoir to meet the town requirements at that time.

Council has made improvements to the water system in Guyra with the implementation of fluoridation of the Guyra water supply. The fluoridation dosing equipment was installed in 2008.

Other improvements included the relocation of the activated carbon dosage plant to the water supply reservoirs to improve the quality of the taste and odour of the water.

Guyra Water Security Business Case(PDF, 10MB)

Guyra Secure Yield Assessment(PDF, 3MB)

Council is developing a Ground Water Supply Network to diversify the region's water supply and provide greater water security during drought. Council undertook an emergency groundwater program as Guyra dam storages emptied in 2019, working with the NSW Government to investigate potential groundwater sources that could assist during the 2019/20 emergency and potentially over the long term.

Click here to read the hydrogeology report by Hydroilex(PDF, 4MB), which outlines the scope of work, adherence to regulatory conditions; plans to avoid interference with other bore users and the potential groundwater resource. The report also considered environment factors and states: “There are no recognised Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDE) in the investigation area.”

Council has applied for a permanent Water Access Licence for the extracted groundwater to be piped and pumped to Guyra’s water treatment plant, as a sustainable option to enhance water security for the region's residents and businesses. The State Government’s Natural Resource Access Regulator will determine the Licence volume and sustainable extraction.

Council commissioned an independent review into Council's provision of water to tomato producer Costa Group, from a bore in Izzeard Park. The review found Council complied with its legal obligations as a water utility.

Read the report(PDF, 333KB)

As of 27 November 2025

Raw Water Users

Malpas pipeline: Blue Green Algae - NIL Alert

Puddledock pipeline: Blue Green Algae - AMBER Alert

Guyra Dam: Blue Green Algae-AMBER Alert

Recreational Water Users

Dumaresq Dam: Blue-Green Algae -AMBER Alert

Malpas Dam: Blue-Green Algae -RED Alert Environmental flow ON

What does each status mean?

Green alert (Low)

(500 to 5,000 cells/mL)Blue-green algae occur naturally at low numbers. At these concentrations, algae would not normally be visible, however some species may affect taste and odour of water even at low numbers. Does not pose any problems for recreational, stock or household use.

Note: These alert levels represent the current 'bloom' conditions within the dam/reserve and not the final treated water quality.

Amber alert (Medium)

(5,000 to 50,000 cells/mL)Blue-green algae may be multiplying and the water may have a green tinge and musty or organic taste and odour. The water should be considered as unsuitable for potable use and alternative supplies or prior treatment of raw water for domestic purposes should be considered. The water may also be unsuitable for stock watering. Generally suitable for water sports, however people are advised to exercise caution in these areas, as blue-green algal concentrations can rise to red alert levels quickly under warm, calm weather conditions.

Note: These alert levels represent the current 'bloom' conditions within the dam/reserve and not the final treated water quality.

Red alert (High)

(50,000 or over cells/mL)These alert levels represent 'bloom' conditions. Water will appear green or discoloured and clumps or scums could be visible. It can also give off a strong musty or organic odour. Algae may be toxic to humans and animals. Contact with or use of water from red alert areas should be avoided due to the risk of eye and skin irritation. Drinking untreated or boiled water from these supplies can cause stomach upsets. Alternative water supplies should be sought or activated carbon treatment employed to remove toxins. People should not fish when an algal scum is present. Owners should keep dogs away from high alert areas and provide alternative watering points for stock.

Note: These alert levels represent the current 'bloom' conditions within the dam/reserve and not the final treated water quality.