South East Water trials new water sampling taps
South East Water has taken a new water sampling tap to the street this month to reduce customer disruption and receive more accurate water quality readings.
To remove access issues and reduce the chance of any external contamination, the water utility is trialling a new-look bollard tap on a nature strip in Ferntree Gully.
Many of South East Water’s sampling taps are located inside customer properties or in an unsuitable location next to heavy vegetation. At times, it can also be difficult for water quality crews to access taps.
The new tap has a lockable cover protecting it from rain, animals and other external factors that could affect water quality sampling results. If successful, South East Water will gradually move some of its water sampling taps out of customer properties, particularly in heavily vegetated areas. This will always ensure access and water quality sample results are as accurate as possible.
South East Water’s General Manager Service Delivery, Simon Willis said taking the taps out of private properties created benefits for the customer and utility.
“If successful, these new taps will make our water quality testing simpler, more effective and safer for our teams by reducing the need to enter customer properties to test our drinking water.”
“At South East Water we have a comprehensive water quality testing program but this trial is a great example of how we’re optimising our operations for not only our employees but importantly our customers.”
South East Water General Manager, Service Delivery - Simon Willis
South East Water took 10,735 water quality samples from over 1,400 sampling taps across its network in 2021–22. This is one of the many ways the water utility is delivering safe and reliable drinking water to 1.77 million people across Melbourne’s south-east.
Top photo:
Street view of accessible new sampling taps.
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Contact us at media@sew.com.au.