Ipswich City CouncilEmergenciesWater Supply ServicesMy water meter/stop tap seems to be leaking. What should I do?Contact Ipswich Water (24 hours) I think I have a burst sewer main/pipe/service. What can I do?Contact Ipswich Water (24 hours) I think I have a burst sewer and sewerage is bubbling up out of the ground. What should I do?Contact Ipswich Water (24 hours) I cannot turn my water off, can you help me?If you cannot turn the water off at the water meter or at the footpath cock, contact Ipswich Water (24 hours) Water Quality IssuesWhy does my tap water sometimes have a musty/earthy smell?Geosmin algae is generally responsible for this smell. It is a harmless substance released by the algae and can be treated with an inexpensive activated carbon home treatment device. If the problem persists, please notify Ipswich Water Why does my tap water sometimes have a chlorine smell?Chlorine is added to the water during treatment which inactivates microorganisms rather than removing them. It is the most widely used disinfectant in Australia. After work has been carried out on distribution pipes, in order to maintain water quality the chlorine level may be increased for a short period of time. It may also react with certain materials used in plumbing and some kettles to form a taste. These are not normally harmful and usually only occur for a short time. If you refrigerate your drinking water or allow it to stand, this allows the chlorine to dissipate. If problems persist, please notify Ipswich Water. Why is my tap water white/milky/cloudy?This can be caused by trapped air within the water. It is most common after a burst water main has been fixed in the area and air has been trapped in the pipes when the water main is turned back on. Appearance of water may range from a light cloudiness to a very milky, opaque colour. After a while, the water clears from the bottom (in a clear glass) as the bubbles rise to the top and are gone. Why is my tap water discoloured?Discolouring can be caused by a disturbance or sediment within the water main. A burst water main or system maintenance works, generally cause disturbances or sediment in water mains. Running a tap at the rear of the property will usually clear the problem. Don't forget to use this water on plants or elsewhere to ensure it is not wasted. If the discoloured water has stained your washing, contact us and we will supply you with cleaning solution (stained clothes must be kept wet to reduce possibility of staining). If problem persists, contact Ipswich Water Why is my tap water discoloured, rusty?Iron (rust) can be the cause of this. Rust or orange coloured water may be the result of galvanic corrosion in homes that have plumbing with a mixture of copper and galvanised iron pipes. Rust collects in the pipes and is flushed out when you open the tap. What you can do is allow the water run until it clears - this water can be used on plants to ensure it is not wasted. If the problem persists, please contact Ipswich Water however, it if is caused by old piping on the premises, this piping may need to be replaced at the owner's expense. Water PressureWhy does my water pressure fluctuate?Water pressure generally decreases with increased flow or consumption. Normally in the morning between 6.00am and 9.00am and in the evening between 6.00pm and 9.00pm, residents are at home having showers, washing clothes and dishes etc. These are the time of highest flows in the water supply system and consequently result in reduced water pressure. What is the minimum water pressure guaranteed by Ipswich Water?Ipswich Water has a standard minimum pressure that must be provided to Ipswich City Council consumers in urban areas. The minimum pressure to be provided at the property boundary (or water meter) during the peak demand period is 220 kPa (kilo Pascals) or 22m head of water. In other words, at your property water would rise 22 metres up a vertical pipe. How can I tell if my pressure is below standard?If you believe your water pressure is lower than our standard, we suggest you undertake the following simple test to obtain an indication of your water pressure (for a normal urban residential property) before contacting us:
Check whether your neighbour is experiencing low pressure as well. If you neighbour isn't experiencing similar problems, the pressure issue may be within the plumbing of your property. What are contributing factors to lower water pressure?When water flows in pipes, pressure losses occur. Smaller pipes suffer significantly higher losses, particularly in aging household plumbing. Pressure losses internally within properties may depend on pipe size and the condition of the home's plumbing. Such losses are generally in the range of three to six metres of head pressure (300-600kPa). If your internal pipes are older (more than 15 years), in poor condition or small in size, more pressure and flow losses will occur. Galvanised iron pipe work is particularly prone to pressure and flow loss. What if I still believe I have a customer service standard related problem?If you believe your problem is related to your household or property plumbing, please contact a licensed plumber and arrange for a visit. If however, you feel your water supply from the mains is below standard, contact Ipswich Water. Other water related faults/emergenciesMy tap makes a hammering noise.The most common cause is a simple broken clip or not enough clips on your pipe work in your roof or walls. A valve shutting in your automatic washing machine or dishwasher can also be the problem. Another cause may be a jumper valve (or washer) bouncing or jumping inside your tap when you turn it on. If this is the case, the jumber valve (or washer) will have to be pinned inside the tap. Call a licensed plumber and have them inspect and/or repair jumper valves and clips on pipe work.
I believe my water meter is faultyFirstly, check your water meter and ensure it has been read correctly - see water meters. Secondly, if you believe that you did not use that much water as stated on your rates, check for leaks. More obvious leaks can result in dripping taps, wet spots and green spots of grass outside. If you have undertaken the above checks and still believe your water meter is reading incorrectly, contact Ipswich Water and we will arrange for the meter to be tested by an independent NATA certified laboratory. Please note there is a standard fee that applies. It should also be noted it is very rare for a water meter to read high. If there is an error in the meter it is almost always reading low. To save you money, we do not encourage the testing of meters on request, rather that we test water meters as part of our quality control procedures. Waste Water ServicesI think I have a sewerage blockageSewers, particularly old sewers throughout Ipswich can become blocked due to foreign objects, tree roots, nappies, toys. Ipswich Water has dedicated personnel providing 24 hour service to clear blockages in Council's sewer mains and house connections. Private drainers or plumbers are not permitted to undertake repair or replacement work on Council's sewer mains and house connections without permission from Ipswich Water. Only licensed drainers should clear blockages in privately owned house drains. Under certain circumstances we will clear blockages in privately owned house drains, however fees may apply. Contact Ipswich Water or a private drainer. I would like to report a burst sewer main or a sewerage incidentCouncil maintains round the clock emergency services operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact Ipswich Water all hours. Recycled Water ServicesI would like to report a recycled water emergency or faultPlease contact Ipswich Water. Trade Waste ServicesI would like to report a trade waste emergency/faultCouncil maintains round the clock emergency services operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact Ipswich Water all hours.
Last Updated 3 Apr 2008 |
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