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Water pressure management

• Improving the reliability of our water supply. (PDF 405KB)

Excessive water pressure can lead to water main breaks and cause leaks in Sydney Water's system.

Water pressure management aims to adjust water pressure levels in the supply system to achieve more consistent pressure levels which will reduce the number of watermain breaks, improve the reliability of the water supply system and conserve water.

Most properties receive an average water pressure of around 50 metres head. Some properties receive significantly higher water pressures – up to 100 metres head. Sydney Water has a water pressure management program to target those areas where pressure levels are well above average and there is a history of water main breaks.

The Water Pressure Management program is an important part of Sydney Water's Leak Reduction Program and the NSW Government's Metropolitan Water Plan. The program will have the following benefits:

• met water conservation targets by reducing demand and leaks
• improve reliability and continuity of supply as a result of reduced main breaks.
• reduce pressure fluctuations to achieve more consistent pressures across the water supply system.
• extend the life of Sydney Water’s watermains and assets.

Sydney Water will continue to meets its Operating Licence condition, ensuring that there is a minimum pressure of 15 metres head at the connection point to your property.

We are currently regulating water pressure in selected areas in Shellharbour, Wollongong, Sutherland, Blacktown, Parramatta and Holroyd local government areas.

We will next move into selected areas in Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Manly, Parramatta, Sutherland, Wollongong and Warringah local government areas.

Sydney Water will write to you in advance if your property will be in an area included in the Program.

Questions & Answers

What is water pressure?

Water pressure is measured according to the force need to move the water from our mains and into your pipes. It is measured in 'metres head', for example one metre head will support a column of water one metre high.

How does water pressure management work?

Water pressure is reduced in incremental steps using pressure reduction valves and monitoring points to achieve more consistent lower water pressure levels across the water supply network.

How much water will be saved?

According to the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan, the Leak Reduction Program and the Water Pressure Management Program are estimated to achieve a combined saving of 33 billion litres of water by 2011.

Why do some areas experience higher pressure than others?

Water is distributed to customers through a network of water supply zones. Water reservoirs are located in high points in each water supply zone. Water is distributed from the reservoir across the zone using a gravity system. Water pressure varies at different locations in the zone depending on your property's elevation and proximity to the reservoir.

Properties in low areas receive higher water pressure. Properties in high areas receive lower water pressure.

How will I be affected?

Most residents and businesses in the selected areas are not significantly affected. Reducing the water pressure does not mean you will have less water, but you may need to open the tap more and it may take longer to fill a bucket or washing machine. Sydney Water will continue to supply water at a pressure that meets most commercial and domestic requirements.

Some instantaneous hot water systems, corroded galvanised pipes or existing pressure reducing valves may not work as effectively when the pressure is reduced and your systems may need to be upgraded.

If you have a fire suppression system or a commercial service that depends on water pressure, it is possible these systems may not work as effectively when the pressure is reduced and your systems may need to be upgraded.

Sydney Water will write to you in advance if your property will be in an area included in the program. This letter will provide more information about how you can determine if the proposed changes will affect your water system.

What should I do if I experience a water pressure problem?

If you experience any pressure related issues please check that:

• The tap on your water meter that controls flow to your property is fully turned on.
• Any taps that control flow to your hot water system and other devices are fully turned on.

If you continue to experience water pressure problems, or for further information please phone 1800 010 501.