The NSW Government is releasing the hounds on leaking pipes and valves in the state's Central West to ensure we're saving every drop of water possible thanks to the successful $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program.
Two leak detection dogs from Sydney Water, Joey and Hydro, were on tour to Orange and Parkes last week in partnership with the Central NSW Joint Organisation to sniff out exactly where pipes need to be patched up.
Joey and Hydro are trained to smell chlorine from a leaking pipe as deep as three metres below the surface, even if it's raining and are able to cover up to 20 kilometers of network mains in a day.
Across Sydney Metro region this program has already proven a success with over 300 leaks having been detected across 530 kilometers.
This is a part of the NSW Government's $900,000 partnership with the Central NSW Joint Organisation which has utilized numerous techniques to target water waste across 10 local water utilities.
This partnership is just one aspect of the four-year $12.5 million program, which includes:
- $5.5million Active Leak Detection Project
- $5.5million for Local Water utility infrastructure projects
- $1.5million for training, systems and data improvement.
Across the state the NSW Government is continuing to deliver a comprehensive water efficiency strategy.
The NSW Government's expert leak detection teams are using high powered listening devices to zero in on more than 8400 kilometres of mains, saving a staggering 3.3 billion litres of water so far across 44 local government areas and 30 Aboriginal communities throughout NSW.
The grants program is training up staff and installing devices including real-time monitors, pressure reducing valves, leak noise loggers, electronic listening sticks, ground microphones, and new meters to get more water saving runs on the board.
To learn more, visit: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plans-and-programs/water-efficiency/regionalleakage-reduction-program.
Minister for Water Rose Jackson said: "As dry conditions continue to encroach around the state we need to be sniffing out every single leak to make sure that we're not wasting water unnecessarily and that's exactly what Joey and Hydro are helping us achieve.
"This program has proven to be a success across metro NSW so we would be barking mad not to bring them to the bush where water security is front-of-mind for locals.
"We know that the community are doing their part to conserve water as we head into El Nino so we're rolling out all the resources in our arsenal including these specialist dogs to make sure we're saving water wherever possible.
Central NSW Joint Organisation Chair Kevin Beatty said:
"The collaboration with the NSW Government has been a massive success already.
"The leak detector dogs are part of our holistic approach which has seen Councils across the region audited and Council staff being trained.
"With the recognition and support of the state government we are working in partnership to not just deliver results in the next twelve months but to embed innovation and leading practice in water management into the future."
Sydney Water Program Specialist and Dog Handler Nicole Harvey said:
"This is a great opportunity for Joey and Hydro to put their best paw forward and hunt down leaks in regional NSW.
"While they think it's a massive game, these guys play a big part in helping us save water. Joey and Hydro can really make a difference by finding hidden leaks, reducing water loss and protecting our precious water supply, whether we are in drought or not.
"The dogs are very agile and can cover more ground, much faster than a person. Their super sensitive noses allow them to sniff out early leaks in even the hardest to access areas and prevent that water loss from becoming a larger leak down the track."
