Coast’s leakiest suburbs

$2.5m goes down drain

THE council will ramp up its campaign to stop water leakages because the city is forking out almost $2.5 million a year for remissions to be paid on huge bills.

A report to council reveals the current policy is “generous” and remissions to Gold Coast customers are equal to the sum paid by all southeast Queensland water providers.

The council has launched a review of its water and sewage leakage policy and along with an education program, plans to install smart water meters on non-residential customers starting with the top 500 users.

The financial write-offs processed for leakage remissions totalled $2.45 million in 2017-18, compared to $2.34 million the previous years.

The council in 2017-18 had 405 approvals for non-residential users which cost $1.341 million. Remissions were approved for 2179 residential users costing $1.117 million after the loss of 549 mega litres of water.

The suburbs with the highest approved leak applications were Mermaid Waters (135), Elanora (134), Robina (111), Southport (107) and Currumbin Waters (104).

While older beachside suburbs are renowned for water pipe issues, the data shows Hinterland properties can cause major challenges.

Schools are also a concern with a concealed leak at AB Paterson College of 120 litres per minute costing the Arundel school $1300 daily. About 27 campuses have joined a program where data loggers have led to significant savings by identifying early leaks.

Mudgeeraba-based councillor Glenn Tozer told the Bulletin: “What happens in our area with Hinterland properties is the dwelling can be a significant distance from the water meter on rocky ground.

“It might be 100 to 150 metres from the front boundary to the house. Over the next 12 months we have to come up with a strategy. With a 30year-old home, the piping will have a 10-to-15-year lifespan.”

Cr Tozer believes the council in the next few years could introduce an app whereby residents would be warned about any significant increase in water consumption.

Helensvale-based councillor William Owen-Jones has backed up the council’s education program with letter box drops to inform residents.

“My advice is to check the meter regularly,” he said.

Residents in the coastal suburbs living on sand-based properties had concealed leaks while those in western estates were confronted with claybased soil, which could cause cracks in pipes, he said.

“Over the last seven years the number of very large – $5000 to $15,000 – excess water bills has almost stopped in the division. Unfortunately, we did have a resident with a very large bill from an undetected leak come in last week,” Cr Owen-Jones said.

Southern-based councillor Gail O’Neill was aware of few complaints by residents.

“Some of the older areas like Coolangatta and Kirra, the drainage systems do need replacing. It takes time,” Cr O’Neill said.