PRESS RELEASE: Brisbane’s Silent Thirst: Are Leaking Pipes Draining Our City and Your Wallet?

Brisbane’s Silent Thirst: Are Leaking Pipes Draining Our City and Your Wallet?
Brisbane, Queensland
Brisbane’s water network is a vast and aging system. While Urban Utilities invests heavily in maintaining and upgrading public infrastructure – with $368.8 million invested in new and upgraded infrastructure in FY23 (Urban Utilities Annual Report 2022/23, p.5) and projects like the renewal of the almost 70-year-old Bulimba-Hamilton siphon (UU AR 22/23, p.5) – a significant amount of water can also be lost on private properties through undetected leaks.
Urban Utilities actively manages its 9,686 km of water mains (UU AR 22/23, p.13), achieving a commendable 18.14 water main breaks per 100km in 2022/23, well below the target of 39 (UU AR 22/23, p.23). However, the journey of water doesn’t end at the property meter. Old, corroded, or damaged pipes within homes and businesses can lead to significant water wastage, inflated bills, and even property damage if left unchecked. This “silent thirst” on private land contributes to overall water demand and can hit property owners hard in the pocket.
Tackling Water Loss, One Property at a Time
While the city’s authorities focus on the public network, there’s a growing awareness of the need for property owners to address potential leaks on their side of the meter. Efforts to combat this include:
Promoting regular checks of water meters and bills for anomalies.
Utilising modern, non-invasive leak detection technology to pinpoint hidden leaks in private pipework.
Encouraging preventative plumbing maintenance, especially for older properties.
Replacing old, problematic pipe materials with durable, modern alternatives.
“Urban Utilities is doing a significant job managing a massive public network, as their latest reports show,” says Cameron from All Kind Gas & Plumbing, a Brisbane-based plumbing and gas specialist. “However, we frequently see cases where homeowners are unknowingly losing hundreds, sometimes thousands, of litres of water due to aging or faulty pipes on their own property. Addressing these private leaks isn’t just about saving money on bills; it’s a crucial part of responsible water use for our entire community.”
Why It Matters
Water is a precious resource, and minimising loss is vital for sustainability, especially in a growing city like Brisbane. For property owners:
Reduces Water Bills: Fixing leaks directly cuts water expenses.
Prevents Property Damage: Undetected leaks can lead to costly structural and mould issues.
Conserves Water: Contributes to overall water security for the region.
Increases Property Value: Well-maintained plumbing is an asset.
“A simple, regular check of your water meter or a professional plumbing inspection can uncover these hidden water wasters,” Cameron explains. “It’s about smart management of your property’s resources, contributing to broader water conservation efforts, and ultimately protecting your own financial outlay.”
Contact Information
For more information on identifying and repairing water leaks on your property with the expertise of All Kind Gas & Plumbing, please contact:
Name: Cameron Anderson
Company: All Kind Gas & Plumbing
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0400 829 858
Website: https://allkindplumbing.com.au/