Media Release

21 Jul 2006

Sydney Water Reaches 18,000km Target To Check Leaks

Sydney Water has completed an audit of 18,000 kilometres of its pipe network as part of a proactive program to save water.

The 18,000 kilometres of Sydney Water’s 21,000 kilometre network were checked for hidden underground leaks last financial year under the Active Leak Reduction Program.

Sydney Water began the program in 1999 to reduce the amount of water lost through pipe leaks.

Last year the program was accelerated to ensure 18,000 kilometres would be inspected each year over the next four years.

The program uses sophisticated listening equipment to hear the flow of water through the pipes.

Variations in the sound can reveal even tiny leaks hidden below the surface.

Once detected, these leaks are marked and then repaired by one of Sydney Water’s 70 crews who are on standby 24 hours a day to ensure the reliability of the water supply.

The Active Leak Reduction Program had contributed to significant water savings - more than 50 million litres of water each day is now prevented from escaping pipelines.

Over the past seven years, more than 41,000 kilometres have been checked for leaks, effectively inspecting the entire network twice.

Reducing leakage is a key priority for Sydney Water, with a range of programs contributing to a 25 per cent reduction over the past few years.

Conditions in Sydney Water’s Operating Licence will see leakage cut by a further 25 per cent over four years.

This will be achieved by investing more than $300 million over four years on a range of measures such as the Active Leak Reduction Program, the Water Main Renewals Program and improved response times to major leaks and bursts.

 

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