The NSW Government is set to roll out the second phase of its water leakage reduction program across 22 council areas after phase one revealed that around 2.7 billion litres was leaking from network pipes each year.
Minister for Lands and Water, Kevin Anderson said the Government’s $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program was using the latest technology to identify costly leaks.
“Using cutting-edge technology such as high-powered listening devices, our teams pinpoint exactly where leaks are in pipes, meters and valves so they can be patched up to significantly boost water security for regional communities.”
“Fixing leaky pipes and damaged infrastructure not only preserves water and improves reliability, but it also saves ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in pumping and treatment costs.
“We’re charging ahead with our water efficiency and conservation work off the back of incredible results from stage one,” Mr Anderson said.
Clarence Valley Council, Mid-Western Regional Council, Narromine Shire Council and Tweed Shire Council, as well as two Aboriginal communities, have signed up for Stage 2 of the program and another 20 are expected to join.
During Stage 1, officers and technicians from the Regional Network Leakage Detection Project surveyed more than 2,700 kilometers of water mains and found more than 930 leaks.
“A lot of these leaks have already been repaired, preventing more than 800 million litres of water from being lost each year,” Mr Anderson said.
“We’re working with local water utilities to survey a further 4500km of pipeline before June 2023 and a similar amount the following year, with the aim of saving up to 7.5 billion litres of water by the end of 2024. That equates to millions of dollars in pumping and treatment savings for councils.
“Just because we’ve had rain, it doesn’t mean we can relax when it comes to water security. Drought will come again, and the recent flooding has put many storage areas at risk of contamination. Every drop of clean water counts and that’s why the state government has thrown its support behind this vital project.”
The Regional Network Leakage Detection Project is part of the NSW Government’s three-year, $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program, a key component of a statewide Water Efficiency Framework which falls under the NSW Water Strategy.
Several Aboriginal communities with suspected network leakage have also been included under the Aboriginal Community Water & Sewerage Program (ACWSP). For more information on the programs, visit Regional leakage reduction program.
