Your Water

Click to learn more about a water topic

Most of the properties in our area are connected to town water and have a water meter which records the use of water.

It is useful to know where your water meter is because the stop tap, which controls the flow of water to your house is also located inside the water meter box. 

In an emergency such as a broken water pipe or a need to change a tap washer inside your property, you can use the stop tap to turn off the water supply to your house.

Water meters

If you need to connect to the town water supply and require a new water meter, please complete our water service application.

Council is responsible for the maintenance, accuracy, and replacement of water meters. We routinely monitor meter performance and will replace a meter when:

  • the meter is found to be faulty or defective,
  • the meter can no longer be reasonably maintained or is at the end of its service life, or
  • the meter is included in Council’s scheduled meter replacement program

The cost to replace the water meter not passed onto the property owner unless:

  • It is damaged due to negligence
  • It is stolen or removed illegally
  • Upon request to install a new water meter when the existing water meter is operational

 

PMHC can test your water meter if you feel it is not recording water usage accurately - please  contact customer service and make payment of the applicable fee, as set out each year by PMHC through Fees and Charges. For further detail on meter testing please see 14.10 of PMHC's Water Supply Services Policy 2025

 

 

 

Backflow Prevention

Backflow Prevention is an integral part of maintaining a safe and healthy water supply system. By working together as a community, we can ensure our water supply remains free of contaminants caused by Backflow.

To apply to install, test or submit reports relating to a backflow prevention device click the following links Submit Backflow Prevention Device (BPD) Testing Results Application for Backflow Prevention Device (BPD) installation or testing by Council  Application for Registration of Backflow Prevention Device (BPD)

For more information on backflow and backflow prevention in the Port Macquarie Hastings Council area click this link Frequently Asked Questions on Backflow Prevention(PDF, 145KB) or Contact Us

Tank Water

Some of the properties in our area rely on water tanks which are filled by collecting rainwater; if you rely on your tank for drinking water and you run out, you can call one of our approved water carters:

Water carters need to have a licence from us to operate. As part of this, they must adhere to strict conditions and requirements to ensure the water they supply is free from contamination and safe to drink.

 

Where does our water come from?

Water for our region is stored in several dams and reservoirs. These are replenished from local rivers, under strict conditions. Water is then treated to make it safe for everyone to use.

Where is our water stored?

The main water storage reservoirs for our region are Port Macquarie Dam and Cowarra Dam.  

Wauchope, Comboyne, Long Flat and Telegraph Point have their own water supplies which are pumped directly from the Thone River, the Hastings River and the Wilson River. 

Pumping water from the river

Water is regularly pumped from the Hastings River at Koree Island, near Wauchope, to replenish our water supplies. The Koree Island pumping station can pump 120 megalitres per day in peak conditions. 

Pumping from the river can only be done when certain conditions are met. Some of the conditions we take into account are: 

  • River flow 
    To protect the natural environment, including fish, platypus and plants, we don’t pump water when the river flow slows below a certain level. 

  • Nutrient levels 
    High nutrient levels can lead to algae growth, and this is a particular risk after rainfall due to runoff. We don’t pump when levels are high. 

  • Turbidity
     This refers to how murky the water is. High turbidity means the water can contain pathogens, so we don’t pump water when this is the case. 

Treating water

These are some of the ways we ensure our area has safe, clean water:

  • Water is mixed 
    Water stored in our dams is constantly turned over (mixed) which maintains constant temperature and water quality and reduces the likelihood of algae.
  • Water is cleaned 
     We treat and disinfect water before it enters the water supply system. This treatment includes using chlorine to kill bacteria.
  • Water is filtered
     Filters remove any solid particles that may be in the water. We operate membrane filtration plants at Wauchope, Telegraph Point, Long Flat and Comboyne which provide filtered water to these communities.
  • Water is monitored
     We have an untreated water monitoring station at Koree Island. We run regular tests on water and will shut down pumps if water quality drops.
  • Samples are taken and tested
    We regularly take samples from 47 locations in the region before supply reaches your taps. These samples are analysed in our Environmental Laboratory at Charles Sturt University’s Port Macquarie campus.

Water Management Act Approvals

From 1 July 2023 a new process was implemented for the approval of development-related water and sewer infrastructure works. To make an application or for further information please visit our Water and Sewer Development Requirements.

Drinking water quality

Learn more about how we maintain a high quality water supply for our communities.

Backflow Prevention

To apply to install, test or submit reports relating to a backflow prevention device click the following links

Application for Backflow Prevention Device (BPD) installation or testing by Council 

Application for Registration of Backflow Prevention Device (BPD)

Submit Backflow Prevention Device (BPD) Testing Results

Test your water pressure

If you require a water pressure test, disinfection and/or interconnection of new water mains as part of a development site please complete our application form.

 

A water mains pressure test can also be requested if required for fire protection systems such as fire hoses and sprinklers.

 

Contact our team to assist with any enquiries you have relating to your application. 

Phone (02) 6581 8111 or email council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au 

Related links

Back to top