Stop problems occurring

If you're experiencing a water supply problem on your property right now, please check our water outages map for any works in your area or find out more about water supply problems.

Or here are some simple things you can do to help stop water supply problems in the future.

Prevent cracks bursts and blockages

Water mains and pipes can sometimes crack, break or become blocked for a variety of reasons. These faults commonly lead to water leaks which can go undetected over time.

Unitywater works to minimise these faults through ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the sections of the network that we are responsible for. But it’s up to individual property owners to make sure their private plumbing is working properly.

Remember, leaks, cracks, bursts or other plumbing problems on private property are the owner’s responsibility. Leaks, cracks or bursts that happen in Unitywater’s infrastructure are our responsibility.

Diagram showing who is responsible for plumbing repairs and maintenance

Broken sewerage pipe filled with tree roots

To stop problems, here's what you can do:

1. Don't block it, bin it 2. Proactively check for leaks 3. Think before you plant 4. Dial before you dig

More ways to stop problems

5. Leaving your business unattended?

Going on holidays or leaving your business unattended for a while? Before you leave, it’s a good idea to do the following:

Make sure all taps are properly turned off.
Clear leaf litter from downpipes and gutters.
Check your downpipe is correctly connected to stormwater not the sewer.

Turn off the stop tap at the water meter (by turning it clockwise) to stop the water supply to your property (and don’t forget to turn it on when you get back). Make sure this won’t damage any appliances that are reliant on water while you’re away.

6. Backflow prevention

Backflow prevention is the term used to refer to the prevention of an unwanted reverse flow of water from a potentially polluted source into the drinking water supply.

Backflow prevention devices can be installed to eliminate the risk of contamination. The application and registration of a backflow prevention device is managed by councils. For more information, please contact your local council.

7. Check the pipe connected to your water meter

How old is the pipe between your business and the water meter? Do you have old pipes that have deteriorated over time due to age, sun exposure or corrosion? Now is a good time to check.

Why is this important?

Unitywater routinely replaces water meters when they are nearing the end of their life cycle. These replacements are preventative maintenance, to ensure the water meter on your property is accurate and in full working order. If we need to replace a water meter on your property, we will try to connect the new water meter to your existing pipes. However, if you have galvanised iron pipes that have corroded, it may not be possible to do so.

In this case, we will run an above-ground polyethylene pipe from the new meter to your building (installation funded by Unitywater). This is only a temporary service and it is the property owner’s responsibility to have a permanent service installed and to fund any associated costs. Under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002, plumbing and drainage works around your property must be carried out by a licensed plumber.

8. Consider installing a pressure-reducing device

If you have an ongoing problem with high water pressure, you may want to consider paying a plumber to install a pressure reducing device.

These devices reduce and stabilise pressure from the mains supply. Unitywater helps to minimise high-pressure problems through its ongoing Leakage reduction program, which also checks pressure in the network.

Galvanised Pipes