Swipe card access for council’s standpipes

RESIDENTS will soon need a swipe card to access Toowoomba Regional Council standpipes, in a bid to improve water efficiency.

The council is introducing the smart standpipes in Crows Nest, Millmerran, Oakey and Wyreema for potable water, with the upgrades to start from February 17.

Water and waste committee chair, councillor Nancy Sommerfield, said “water security is the number-one priority for our residents at the moment”.

“This is why we are looking at every area of our business model and are making any changes which will improve efficiencies,” she said.

“The use of smart standpipes allows us to monitor our systems more effectively and provides an improved service for our customers.

“Eligible residents will now be able to gain access through the use of a swipe card.

“This will result in a small change in process for existing customers but one which will make it much easier for them to buy water and use the equipment.”

The council received $125,000 from the Federal Government to fund the new standpipes, along with its own budget of $230,000.

Cr Sommerfield said the smart standpipes upgrade was part of a larger council strategy.

“Every drop counts so we need to ensure we are examining every aspect of what we do in this current climate,” she said.

“We recently approved a water tank rebate for residents and are in the process of advertising an expression of interest for irrigators with unused water allocations to support council operations and reduce the impact on town water supplies.

“In addition to these initiatives, council is continuing to work with all levels of government to explore alternative water sources such as new dams, groundwater allocations and manufactured water options.”