The warning comes after a number of vandalism incidents at G-MW sites over the past year.
The Randalls Cove public amenity block at Lake Eppalock has been the target of two such incidents during that time.
In September last year, the toilet block and a nearby pump station lost power after the site was vandalised.
The block also lost power in July after it was vandalised again.
The incidents also caused the lake’s Strath Bay toilet block to lose power.
G-MW acting storage manager Adrian Pearse said it took six weeks to get everything back online after the first incident and three weeks for the second.
“We’re probably looking at about $120,000 over both incidents that it’s cost Goulburn-Murray Water to get those assets back online,” he said.
“One of the things we’ll be looking at is potentially putting some CCTV at this site now.”
G-MW crews are also working to install new picnic tables and a boating safety sign at Laanecoorie after the site was vandalised earlier this year.
Five picnic tables and the sign were badly damaged, with the sign also heavily graffitied. Mr Pearse said responding to these vandalism incidents meant closing off access to certain sites when repairs took place.
He said beside the impacts to recreational users, having to repair site amenities also caused a lot of disruption for G-MW staff working in the water storage services team.
“Having to respond to these vandalism incidents is not our core function,” he said.
“Our core function is dam safety and basically harvesting, storing and supplying water for our irrigation customers.
“When we have to go off and deal with these vandalism issues, it takes us away from important work elsewhere.”
People who witness criminal behaviour at G-MW storages are encouraged to contact G-MW or their local police.
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