Wannon Water has announced it will spend $33 million to improve the taste of water in Port Fairy, Portland and Heywood. 

The popular tourist towns are infamous for the taste of their drinking water, with most visitors recommended to bring their own water when visiting. 

Thousands of people signed a recent petition calling for a water pipeline from the Otways to be directed to Port Fairy. The petition was delivered to Wannon Water's office in July.

While the utility does not appear to have taken up the suggestion for a pipeline, Wannon Water managing director Andrew Jeffers says significant efforts will be made to improve local water quality. .

“It's pretty likely that treatment of localised groundwater would be the solution that probably goes forward,” Mr Jeffers says.

“It's significantly less expensive.

“There are differences in each of the communities in relation to the satisfaction with the taste of the water. There are also differences in the levels of mineral salts in the water. 

“Based on the feedback from our customers, these three towns are the ones that have the strongest feedback on the taste of the water, that's why this is a priority for us.”

Wannon Water has been studying water quality in Port Fairy, Portland and Heywood for several years, and has found that the towns’ groundwater significantly shortens the life span of hot water services, washing machines, piping and even kettles.

It also affects resident health as many are reluctant to drink the water.

Improving the water quality in the towns “would deliver more than $47 million in health, economic and environmental benefits”, the company’s board said in a business case for the upgrades. 

The utility says it has the first $16 million worth of improvements funded, and it is seeking to secure government funding for the remaining $17 million.

If Wannon Water has to fund the full $33 million itself, the three towns will have to wait longer for their local water treatment plants to be upgraded.