INVERELL Shire Council is taking action to improve water efficiency across its distribution network, thanks to a $100,000 grant secured through the NSW Government’s Active Leak Detection Project.
The initiative is part of the broader $35.3 million Water Efficiency and Regional Leakage Reduction Program, which aims to reduce water loss across local water utilities in New South Wales.
Delivered in collaboration with the NSW Water Directorate, the program has already achieved impressive results, saving approximately 7500 megalitres annually across 60 LWUs over the past two years.
The current round of funding is expected to save an additional 4000ml per year, equivalent to the annual water needs of around 20,000 households.
Inverell Shire Council was identified as a high-priority LWU and invited to participate in the program. Following its acceptance, Council worked closely with a specialist contractor appointed by the NSW Government to assess the scope of work and funding requirements.
The $100,000 grant will enable leak detection surveys across 343km of Council’s 374km water network, with a focus on the Copeton water scheme servicing Inverell, Gilgai, Tingha, Delungra, and Mount Russell, as well as the Ashford water scheme.
Certain areas, including Yetman, Bonshaw, Graman and the raw water line from Copeton Dam to the Inverell water treatment plant, were excluded due to planned infrastructure upgrades.
While the leak detection component is fully funded, Council will be responsible for undertaking monthly repairs and reporting progress to the NSW Government.
These works are expected to take approximately three weeks to complete.
A follow-up report will be presented to Council upon completion of the survey, detailing findings and outlining next steps in reducing water loss and improving system performance.
NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said the leak detection program has recovered thousands of megalitres of water across the state since being established.
“The next drought could be just around the corner, so projects like this one are a simple solution to make the most of the water we already have by identifying and fixing leaks across local networks,” Ms Jackson said.
“You’d be amazed at how much town water gets lost every year because of cracks or holes in pipelines, which is why using high-tech equipment to pinpoint these leaks is one of the most effective ways to safeguard our long-term water supply.”
