Raw (Non-Drinking) Water Supply Agreement

Raw water is natural water found in the environment, such as rainwater, rivers and ground water or water from storages such as lakes and reservoirs. This water source is considered raw, as opposed to potable/treated (drinking) water which has been treated to meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003.

The raw water quality is naturally variable but commonly can contain one or more significant contaminants such as plant material, minerals, salts and microorganisms (eg bacteria, viruses).

Properties being supplied raw water are connected to a transfer main that carries water from the water source (eg river or storage reservoir) to our water treatment plant. 

Raw water is untreated and NOT suitable for human consumption.

It should not be used for:

• Drinking
• food preparation
• ice making
• cleaning teeth
• activities such as bathing and showering.

Raw water may be used for agricultural and other purposes including:

• watering the garden
• irrigation
• feeding stock
• washing the car, boat or floors
• flushing the toilet.

Should you choose to use raw water for human consumption, we recommend seeking advice from the Department of Health for the removal of contaminants.

It is the property occupier’s responsibility to regularly maintain any installed water treatment system. Further information can be found on the Department of Health Water (health.vic.gov.au) or phone 1300 650 172.

All properties that receive raw water are supplied by a Raw (non-drinking) Water Supply Agreement. (Refer to Question 2.)

We are able to supply raw water to our customers by entering into an agreement with the property owner.

We can not guarantee raw water customers permanent access to the raw water supply or that future owners/occupiers will have access to the raw water supply.

While most raw water supply agreements continue uninterrupted, extreme conditions, such as prolonged drought or failing infrastructure, may result in our temporarily shutting down or permanently ceasing the supply of raw water to properties supplied by a Raw (non-drinking) Water Supply Agreement. We will provide advance notice of these changes where possible.

We are not required to provide any compensation on the rare occasion the agreement is terminated.

Your Raw (non-drinking) Water Supply Agreement covers our arrangement with you for the supply of raw water. It identifies the property and includes any Service Constraints specific to your property. It covers both our commitments as the supplier and your commitments as the property owner.

The Acceptance Point is the point where the raw water leaves our water main, and the property owner becomes responsible the water supply from that point.

The Acceptance Point is usually the water meter adjacent to our water main.

The GPS (Global Positioning System) of your Acceptance Point is noted in Item 7A in the Particulars of your Water Supply Agreement.

In normal operation the quality of water is assured at the Acceptance Point.

A service constraint is a term meaning that there are conditions that exist specific to the raw water supply to your property.

Service constraints may impact on the raw water supply. These issues may include:

• the property is outside our Water Supply District,
• low water flow,
• privately owned water supply works,
• privately owned water supply network,
• privately owned water supply works that pass through neighbouring private land; or
• connection to a transfer main.

The service constraints that are applicable to your property are noted in Item 11 of the Agreement.

Question 6 provides more information about each of the service constraints and any action that may be appropriate for you to consider.

a) Your property is outside the Water Supply District

The property may be located outside our service area.

A Water Supply District is the area where the Victorian Water Minister has approved the supply of water subject to the availability of suitable infrastructure.

We can only provide services to properties outside our district by entering into a Water Supply Agreement or Raw (non-drinking) Water Supply Agreement with the property owner.

b) Your property is supplied raw water by a transfer main

A transfer main conveys raw water from the storage reservoir to the water treatment plant.

Being connected to a transfer main may result in the supply of raw water varying. This may be due to:

• The main being located in an isolated area so that repair time frames and normal maintenance timeframes are extended,
• The flow being restricted from time to time due to drought, restrictions, maintenance works, pressure problems.

c) Your property may experience low flow supply

Properties with ‘low flow’ may experience periods of raw water flow less than 20 litres per minute (as delivered through a 20mm service pipe) from the Acceptance Point identified in the Agreement.

If the rate of flow of raw water supplied to your property is of concern, please consult a plumber who can advise you of any options that may be available.

d) Your property is serviced by a single private water service

This occurs when the raw water main does not front the property boundary. The private water service pipe is usually located along the road reserve and runs from the Acceptance Point to your property. You are charged for all water usage beyond the Acceptance Point.

The property owner is responsible for the maintenance and any costs associated with the upkeep of the privately owned raw water supply pipe.

It is recommended that the property owner regularly inspects the pipe route for leaks.

The property owner may consider installing appropriately located isolation valves which may assist when repair work needs to be undertaken.

Any low pressure supply issues experienced beyond the Acceptance Point may be reflective of the private water service pipe size.

e) Your property is serviced by a private water supply network

This occurs when a property is one of a group of properties which receive raw water from a private water supply network.

The private water supply network supplies a number of properties through a common, privately owned pipe.

The Acceptance Point is the primary meter, which should be adjacent to our water main.

The property owners are jointly responsible for the maintenance and costs associated with the water pipe from the Acceptance Point (primary meter) to the property meters (secondary meters). They are also solely responsible for the maintenance and costs associated with the pipe from the secondary meter.

The property owners will be charged for all raw water usage recorded on their individual meter (secondary meter) and a share of the raw water usage in the common private water pipe. The shared usage is the difference between the usage recorded on the primary meter less the usage of all the secondary meters.

It is recommended that the property owners regularly inspect the pipe route for leaks.

See also section ‘g) Recommendations’

f) Your property is serviced by a privately owned water pipe that crosses neighbouring private land

This usually occurs when the raw water main does not front any of the property boundaries and the privately owned raw water pipe may cross private land to reach your property.

The property owner will be charged for all raw water usage beyond the Acceptance Point.

The property owner is responsible for the maintenance and any costs associated with the upkeep of the privately owned water pipe.

As there is usually no easement over the private pipe it is the property owner’s responsibility to arrange with the neighbour regarding access to the land where the pipe is located.

It is recommended that the property owner regularly inspects the pipe route for water leaks. Appropriately located isolation valves may assist when repair work needs to be undertaken.

See also section ‘g) Recommendations’

g) Recommendations

• Regularly inspect private water pipes and networks for leaks to prevent water wastage or possible contamination.
• If the rate of flow of water is of concern, please consult a plumber who can advise you of any options that may be available.
• Review the size of pipes to ensure they are the right size for your needs.
• Install isolation valves to assist when repair work may be needed.

The Raw (non-drinking) Water Supply Agreement can be terminated by either us or the property owner giving six months’ notice.

If a potable water main is installed adjacent to your property, we may encourage you to connect to the potable water supply. In this situation, the Raw (non-drinking) Water Supply Agreement would no longer be required.

The Property Information Statement provided to the purchaser’s solicitor or conveyancer will note the property is supplied by a Raw (non-drinking) Water Supply Agreement. A copy of the supply agreement will be provided as part of the Information Statement. While not obligated, in most cases we will enter into an agreement with the new owners.

In brief, no. This Raw (non-drinking) Water Supply Agreement serves the same purpose as the Customer Charter.

We will continue to supply your property if you continue to pay your water bill, regardless of whether or not you sign the agreement. The payment suggests acceptance of the agreement. (Please refer to clause 28 of the Agreement.

Acceptance Point is the point where the water leaves our supply pipes and the responsibility for the water supply changes from us to the property owner(s). This is usually the water meter adjacent to our water main.

Low flow refers to the supply of raw water below an accepted level of service. This level of service is typically set to at least 20 litres of water per minute and is measured at the water meter servicing the property. The water flow is measured at the closest tap to the water meter servicing the property.

Private water service are pipes that we do not own or manage. The maintenance and repair of these pipes is the responsibility of the individual or group of individuals whose properties are serviced by water from these pipes.

Quality of supply refers to the pressure and other factors affecting the supply of raw water through our infrastructure.

Raw (non-drinking) water is natural water found in the environment. Examples of this are rainwater, rivers and ground water or water from storages such as lakes and reservoirs. This water source is considered raw (untreated) and is not suitable for human consumption.  This means it should not be used for drinking, food preparation, ice making, cleaning teeth or activities such as bathing and showering.

Raw (non-drinking) Water Supply Agreement is a signed document that manages the supply of raw water to a customer who might either live outside the supply district or be supplied raw water with certain conditions, known as service constraints. A Raw Water Supply Agreement can be terminated if either we or the customer give six months’ notice.

Raw water transfer main carries raw (non-drinking) water from the storage reservoir to the water treatment plant. This water is not suitable for human consumption.

Service Constraints are the conditions that exist specific to the raw water supply to your property. These constraints or limitations may include the property being outside our Water Supply District. The property may experience low water flow or be on a privately owned water supply system.

Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 regulates the quality of drinking water supplies. It places obligations on us in providing safe drinking water.

Treatment plant is a facility that treats raw water to the standards specified under the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003.

Water Supply District is the area where the Victorian Water Minister has approved the supply of water subject to the availability of suitable infrastructure such as pipes, pump stations and treatment facilities. We can only provide services to properties outside the district by entering into an agreement (arrangement) with the property owner.

For further information about your Raw (Non-Drinking) Water Supply Agreement, please contact our Property Services team on 1800 050 500 or email:

contactus@gippswater.com.au

The team will be happy to discuss any issues with you.