On very rare occasions, we may need to interrupt the water supply (or reduce pressure) to schools, kindergartens and childcare centres.
When we do proactive work, we will always aim to avoid school hours and minimise the impact of disruption. However, unforeseen incidents – such as a major pipe burst – can result in unavoidable water outages.
We’ve prepared this information to help you plan and prepare in the event of a water supply interruption.
Planned outage
When your water supply is to be switched off (or your water pressure significantly reduced) due to planned maintenance, we will provide written notice beforehand.
Here are some tips to minimise the impact on your students, parents and staff
- Communicate the outage time to teachers and support staff. Consider also advising students and parents.
- Fill up drink bottles before the planned outage.
- Use taps and toilets before the planned outage.
- Fill up some buckets before the outage. These can be used to flush toilets.
- Consider setting aside some water storage for hand washing. Water-less hand sanitisers are a good idea.
- Switch off any irrigation systems before the interruption.
Unplanned (emergency) outage
Occasionally, a burst water main or other emergency may disrupt your water supply or significantly reduce your water pressure.
Here are some tips to help minimise the disruption to your students, parents and staff.
Information and updates
Alternative supplies
- Where possible, we may be able to connect you to a temporary supply. This might include a small water tanker (‘furphy’) or filled water bottles. This will depend on availability and the impact of the outage.
- You may choose to hire your own water carter. Insist on potable water (for drinking purposes) only. There are a number of local water carting companies that may be able to help.
- Consider keeping a supply of bottled water on-hand.
Sanitation
- If you have access to an alternative supply, such a rainwater tank, you can fill buckets for flushing toilets.
- Consider keeping a store of water-less hand sanitisers
- Consider keeping a store of disposable plates and cutlery that can be disposed of and does not require washing.
- You may choose to hire ‘port-a-loos’. There are a number of local portable toilet providers that may be able to help.
Fire safety
- If you are in a fire-prone or rural area, consider independent water supplies as part of your fire plan. If you do not have a stand-alone fire-fighting system, you should consider the risk of having students at school if water is not available.
Miscellaneous
- Communicate the outage time to teachers and support staff. Consider also advising students and parents.
- Switch off any irrigation systems and air conditioners.
- Turn taps off, so you don’t get a surprise when the water is restored!
When water is restored
Sometimes following a repair, dirty water may need to be flushed from pipes. Cloudy or milky water is common, and is usually the result of dissolved air in the lines.
- If the water is dirty, run a tap near your water meter to flush until it becomes clear.
- If the water is milky, this will usually clear naturally over time. You can often clear water by running a tap at the highest point on the property.
- If you have any concerns about your water quality following our work, please contact us.
