Water and sewerage

Top Banner - water bottles on heads

What is pressure management?

Pressure management is a program Yarra Valley Water is undertaking to gradually reduce the pressure of water supply in selected high water pressure areas across our network.

High water pressure is a contributing factor to background leakage (small leaks from the pipe system, typically at joints, that don’t make it to the surface and are hard find) and burst water mains.
 
Research has shown that by managing water pressure, we can reduce pipe leakage, reduce the number of unplanned interruptions, improve the reliability of public assets and even prolong the life of appliances like your hot water services and dishwashing machines.

Pressure management has also been widely and successfully implemented in Yarra Valley Water and throughout the United Kingdom and United States as a water conservation strategy. Gold Coast Water and Sydney Water are also implementing Pressure Management Programs.
 

Am I being Pressure Managed?

To view a map of this Pressure Management Areas please go to our Works in your Area page and either select your council or type in your postcode to see if your house or business will be affected.
 

Why do Yarra Valley Water customers experience high water pressure?

Yarra Valley Water's network is subject to some of the highest average water pressures in the world. Our average water pressure is 67m, higher than South East Water and City West Water.

This is because gravity is used to move water from the catchments to local reservoirs near the metropolitan areas. The water travels from these reservoirs through pipes, over many hills and valleys, before it reaches your home or business. In the valleys and lower elevations the pressures can get very high.

Although the pipes were originally designed and constructed to accommodate these high pressures, their strength is reduced as they age. This results in increased leakage and burst rates requiring repair and ultimately pipe replacement.

While the pressure management program will increase the useful life of public infrastructure , we will remain committed to replacing ageing pipes through our water main replacement programs.