What is water pressure management?

Water pressure management involves reducing water pressure levels in the water supply system to save water and improve services to our customers. Water pressure is reduced until an optimum range is achieved.

What is the optimum range?

The optimum range depends of the topography of the ground, the length of pipe transporting water from the nearest reservoir, the height of the reservoir and the quantity of water being drawn at any particular time. The aim of this project is find the optimum range for each supply area/zone, that produces the best service for customers, with the least amount of interruption to main breaks.

Why are you doing pressure management?

High water pressure contributes to burst water mains, leaks and water waste.  Where water pressure is unnecessarily high, lowering the pressure can achieve the following benefits:

• Less water is lost through leakage, reducing operating costs and conserving water
• Less water is used by the customers, reducing water bills and conserving water
• The pipes don't break so often, reducing the number of service interruptions for customers, and reducing repair costs
• The pipes last longer before needing to be replaced, reducing the amount of investment needed

What are the benefits of pressure management?

The main benefit will be less water loss through leakage, so it is a conservation measure.

Metrowater will have less maintenance work to carry out on the network because it will prevent the pipes breaking so often, reducing the number of service interruptions for customers and conserving water. In the long term it may also reduce water bills.

What effect will pressure reduction have on my water supply?

The pressure management programme aims to reduce excessive pressure in the water supply system. While some residents may notice a reduction in pressure around the home, this should not affect day-to-day activities.

Will firefighting capabilities be maintained?

Yes. We will test fire hydrants to ensure that firefighting capabilities are not compromised.

Is my property part of the pressure management project?

Pressure management is underway in Panmure (read the Panmure information leaflet).  A map of the project area is below.
 

Project Area (click to enlarge):

Streets In Project Area: