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Fixing Leaks: Sydney Water Balances Wastage and Budget

As consumers, we are constantly reminded about reporting outside leaks promptly and fixing household leaks by calling a licensed plumber, like us at JEDI Plumbing, as soon as possible. But for Sydney Water’s massive network speedy repairs, they say, can be more costly.

120 million litres in leaks per day

Sydney Water, Australia’s largest utility with around 4.6 million customers, experiences an average of 120 million litres of water wastage per day through leaks (that’s almost 44 billion litres per year!), according to its latest water efficiency report.

These leaks can be major, like a burst mains pipe, or minor, like slow, hidden drips from underground pipes. They may be due to excessive water pressure, major construction works or even climatic conditions like drought.

Sydney Water has clarified that an investment of more than $1 billion has been made in leakage reduction and management over a period of 10 years and that the leakage is well within their Operating License target.

Even though Sydney Water’s leak reduction performance is very good, the decision to slow down repairs and not to eliminate all leaks has not been received well by dissenters. This decision is supposed to improve value for customers and provide them with better performance.

Increase rates or slow down repairs

According to Sydney Water, eliminating all leaks is not technically feasible nor does it make economic sense. In fact, in order to provide speedy repair services, including overnight or emergency leak repairs, and fixing every small leak, they would have to increase water rates.

Critics point to the company’s increased profits and job-cutting measures, at a time when they are letting precious water to be wasted. This argument is not without merit: In the last financial year, Sydney Water recorded a profit of $415 million – while household water bills rose and complaints increased.

Sydney Water Wastage and Budget Infographic

Other changes

Delaying repairs is not the only thing that has caused a stir. The scrapping of the WaterFix program, a fixed-price program for household leak fixing, tap and showerhead replacement, and the plumber referral service which replaced it, have also been unpopular.

Other complaints criticise the slow withdrawal of water efficiency programs and overnight delays even with sewer pipe leak repairs. Critics believe that Sydney Water is losing focus on customers and concentrating solely on profits – not an ideal strategy for a state-owned organisation.

The response

Sydney Water has responded by saying that their focus has always been on delivering efficient services that limit bill increases to less than inflation rates.

Gary Hurley, Sydney Water’s Civil Delivery Manager and leaks expert, stresses the importance of maintenance and inspections in reducing leaks. According to Mr Hurley, about 30 billion litres of water are saved every year through active leak reduction. Replacing old and low-performance pipes, lowering high water pressure (which may reduce water hammers), isolating hidden leaks and fixing them, are some of the steps involved in Sydney Water’s leak reduction program.

Fix that dripping tap

So, what about your leak reduction program? Because you, not Sydney Water, are responsible for the cost of water wasted from any leaks at your home, fixing them is not something that should be delayed.

At JEDI Plumbing, we realise that when it comes to house plumbing, fixing leaks or unclogging blocked drains cannot wait – and may become urgent if left unattended, thereby require the services of an emergency plumber.

Even a slight delay in repairing a slow drip can prove costly. Did you know that an average tap drip wastes around 24,000 litres of water in a year? This is not only costly, but water wastage has environmental consequences as well.

JEDI Plumbing is your friendly northern Sydney plumber, providing a full suite of plumbing services – from rainwater tank installation to fixing your kitchen mixer taps.

Leaky taps or toilet repairs at your home or business are usually easy to fix – we can’t say the same for Sydney Water’s problems!