Thousands of Melbourne residents told not to drink tap water

Thousands of residents in an area of Melbourne's east which was smashed by storms last week have been told not to drink their tap water.

Yarra Valley Water issued the warning overnight, saying it has consulted with the Department of Health about the supply in the communities of Kallista, Sherbrooke, and The Patch.

A map showing specific streets was released, with the supplier saying they anticipated the advisory would be in place for three days.

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"This advice has been issued following an equipment failure at our drinking water tank due to recent severe weather," Yarra Valley Water said.

"This may result in potentially unsafe water entering the drinking water system and customer taps.

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"Until we can guarantee that the water is safe to drink again, we ask customers in these areas not to use the tap water for drinking, preparing beverages, washing and preparing food, preparing baby formula, brushing teeth, making ice.

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"Special care should be taken to not ingest the water when bathing or showering.

"Until we can guarantee that the water is safe to drink again, we ask customers who live, work or are in these suburbs not to drink tap water until further notice."

The company said even boiling water would not help.

It said people who had registered their information would get a text update.

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Emergency drinking water is on offer at The Patch Hall at 5 The Patch Road, The Patch and the Kallista Public Hall, 6 Tom Roberts Road, Kallista.

People should take their own containers.

The company said anybody who felt unwell in those areas should contact their GP and let them know about the warning.

People with special needs should contact the company on 13 2762.

Some businesses and residents remain without power after the damaging weather.

The weather has also brought out an influx of spiders in parts of Gippsland.

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