The water supply system is designed to ensure that water flows to your property under pressure.
If there is a pressure drop in the water main, a vacuum could be created in this system, which under certain conditions could siphon liquid from a contaminated source back into the drinking water supply. This can be a risk to public health.
Water pressure can be affected when:
- There is a break in the water main
- Water is being pumped from the main water supply during a fire
- A customer is using water at a higher pressure than the pressure supplied
- Heavy water use downstream reduces water pressure upstream
- The water outlet at the property is higher than the water main, causing constant back pressure.
A number of different property types pose a particular risk through cross connections. These include:
- Chemical plants
- Pest controllers
- Market gardens
- Golf courses/sporting ovals
- Caravan parks
- Greywater treatment systems
- Metal processing plants
- Paint manufacturers
- Laundries
- Nurseries
- Residential properties with rainwater storage.