Service difficulties
and emergency
service: 13 20 90
What causes leaks and breaks?
- Working together to prevent leaks
- Sydney water's leak reduction activities
- What causes leaks and breaks
- How to report a leak
- What happens after a leak is reported
- Why repairs may not be done straight away
Sydney Water owns around 21,000 kilometres of pipes which carry water to households, businesses and localities across Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains.
Water main leaks and breaks are generally the result of one of or a combination of the following:
- Drought conditions - as the ground dries out, the pipes can move and sometimes break
- Corrosion of the water main, due to some surrounding "aggressive" soils (mainly clays or loams)
- Movement of aboveground pipelines - which make the joints susceptible to leaks
- Change of water pressure in the main (similar to "water-hammer" in the home) can cause a pipe's weak point to start a horizontal crack
- Ground movement around the main caused by dry/wet/cold weather conditions can cause a "broken back" crack on the main
- Constant impact of road traffic over a main can cause a pipe to crack
- A poorly fitted main tap can cause metal corrosion and subsequent leaks
- Deterioration of aged fittings on a main (such as a hydrant or valve) can cause leaks
- Corrosion or damage to the house service line
- Faulty or old meter or meter tap can cause leaks
Excessive water pressure can also lead to water main breaks and cause leaks. Sydney Water has a Water Pressure Management Program that will target those areas where water pressure levels are well above the average. This program aims to adjust water pressure levels in the supply system in order to minimise leaks, conserve water and maintain service levels to our customers.
Mains can also be accidentally broken by authorities, builders, contractors and householders while doing other work. A check via DIAL 1100 BEFORE YOU DIG should always be made before excavation work is undertaken.