Frequently asked questions
Pressure Management Program
What is Pressure Management?
Pressure management refers to managing the water
pressure that comes out of our taps. Water pressures
within a network vary due to a number of factors,
including the number of customers using water at the
same time.
Water pressure is typically at its highest over night, when
water usage is at its lowest as most people are asleep
in bed. Water pressure is usually at its lowest on a hot
summer’s day, when most people are using water for
activities like watering their gardens or having a shower.
hat is involved in the Pressure
W
Management Program?
South East Water has undertaken an extensive analysis of
its water supply pressures across its service region. As a
result of our analysis, a number of areas within our service
region have been identified as receiving excessive water
pressure. In some instances, water pressure has been
found to be greater than 100 metres, which is well above
the optimum level of 50-60. This means that if a pipe
were to burst water could potentially shoot up into the air
to a distance of 100 metres or more, depending on the
time of year.
The Pressure Management Program will reduce water
pressure in selected regions to a more desirable level.
What are the benefits of this program?
Proven benefits of pressure management include:
• Reduced network water main leakage rates
• Reduced leakage and wear and tear on plumbing within
customer properties
• Decreased network water main burst rates.
Imagine that the water main that runs beneath your home
to be a garden hose attached to a tap. When the water
pressure in a garden hose is too high, water will often
squirt out or leak at the connection point or even pop right
off if you suddenly kink the hose. If the hose has a split in it,
more water will squirt out if you kink or stand on the hose
causing pressure to build up in the line. If you straighten
the hose or step off it and release the pressure, less water
leaks out.
The same principle applies in the mains that supply water
to your house. The higher the pressure in the network and
your property, the more water will leak through any cracks
in the pipes, and the higher the likelihood of burst within
the network.
Through the Pressure Management Program South East
Water can deliver a higher quality service to its customers
by extending the life of network assets and water mains.
What areas are included in the Pressure
Management Program?
Pressure Management Areas (PMA) that have been
identified in the initial program incorporate approximately
13,000 properties. The proposed PMAs are:
• Notting Hill Reservoir PMA (Mentone, Cheltenham)
• Hallam North Reservoir PMA
(Hallam, Doveton, Eumemmerring)
• Mt View Reservoir PMA
(Dandenong North, Noble Park North)
• Mt View Reservoir Re-zone Area (Dandenong North)
• Berwick South Reservoir Re-zone Area (Berwick)
• Montrose Boronia Reservoir PMA
(Ferntree Gully, Boronia).
Only selected areas of these suburbs will be impacted.
Plans showing the extent of the proposed PMAs can be
found at southeastwater.com.au.
South East Water is continuing to analyse other areas of
its network that receive excessive water pressure for the
potential to expand the Pressure Management Program.
We will continue to update our website as new Pressure
Management Areas are proposed.
Is pressure management a new concept?
Pressure management is not a new concept. A number
of Pressure Management Programs have been rolled
out across Australia in the last decade, such as networks
of Gold Coast Water and Sydney Water. More locally,
Yarra Valley Water have been implementing a Pressure
Management Program to a significant portion of their
supply region.
How much will pressure be reduced?
The Pressure Management Program will reduce pressures
to a more desirable level and will aim to provide a
minimum of 50 metres static pressure (maximum
pressure) to properties within the PMAs. The proposed
PMAs have also been engineered to ensure all properties
will receive their minimum supply entitlements during
peak supply times.
What is South East Water’s minimum
service standard for water pressure?
At South East Water, we have developed our own internal
servicing guidelines in order to meet the requirements
of our customers. South East Water’s minimum service
standard objective of static (overnight) water pressure is
30 metres.
Will I notice a change in pressure?
Most customers are expected to notice little, if any
change in their water supply pressure. We will try to
minimise our impact by reducing pressure gradually
where possible.
Pressure reduction may have an adverse impact on the
performance and/or compliance of some specialised
systems, such as fire protection systems and irrigation
systems. Customers with specialised systems should
contact South East Water on 1800 720 613 for
further information.
I am a residential customer. How will I be
impacted by this project?
I have a sprinkler/ irrigation system on my
property, how will I be impacted?
Once the Pressure Management Program has
been implemented, you may notice changes in the
performance of your sprinkler pressure/irrigation system.
If you do notice changes, South East Water suggests that
you contact the provider of the system to determine if it
can be adjusted to suit the new supply pressure.
Will this program affect the fire fighting
capabilities of the network?
The PMAs have been engineered to ensure that, if required,
adequate water supply for fire fighting will be available.
South East Water has consulted the fire authorities to
inform them of the program and provide them with
sufficient time to make changes as required. However,
those customers with private fire systems should contact
the Project Team on 1800 720 613 for more information.
What construction is involved in the
Pressure Management Program?
Each PMA will have necessary infrastructure that will allow
South East Water to more effectively monitor and control
the operation and water supply to customers.
PMA’s are generated by installing new boundary valves,
at least one Pressure Reducing Station (PRS), and
some minor pipelines to regulate supply into the PMA.
Where possible, works will be conducted either in the
road reserve or in local parks. All areas impacted by
construction will be reinstated to their original condition
or as close as possible.
When will this program start?
Initial information was sent to customers in mid-late 2011,
with installation of necessary infrastructure to take place
in 2012.
Pressure levels will not be changed until early-mid
2013, with pressure levels being decreased gradually
where possible.
Most residential customers are not expected to notice a
significant change in their water service. Some customers
in particularly high pressure areas may notice reduced
plumbing noise and less pressure when they use
appliances or turn the tap on. For example, it is likely that
your household whitegoods will have less wear and tear
and reduced hose breakages once water pressure has
been reduced.
Who do I contact if I have
any questions?
Depending on how water is used, in the long-term
some customers may even a notice a reduction in
water usage.
Email
If you have any concerns about your water pressure
or would like to report noticeable changes contact the
Project Team on 1800 720 613.
Post
Please contact our Project Team on:
Phone
Account enquiries
Interpreter service
1800 720 613
03 9768 5369
[email protected]
Pressure Management Program
40 Commercial Drive,
Lynbrook Victoria 3975
www.southeastwater.com.au
SEW_0612