Water and Sewer

Council enforces permanent water conservation measures

Residents may water outdoors only before 10am and after 4pm on designated days:

• Even-numbered properties: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
• Odd or unnumbered properties: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Watering is prohibited on Mondays. However, using a watering can or bucket is allowed outside the restricted hours.

In the Mackay region, the average person uses 260 litres of water every day. To protect our water supply for the future, we should aim to reduce this to 200 litres per day.

Did you know? Almost half of a household’s water is used for lawns and gardens!

Here are some simple ways to save water at home and in the garden:

• Showers - Keep showers to 4 minutes or less to save water and energy - 25 per cent of household electricity heats water!
• Baths - Don’t overfill. Use just enough water and check the plug for leaks.
• Toilets - Use the half-flush when possible. Only flush the 3 Ps (pee, poo, paper) to avoid wasting water and clogging pipes.
• Brushing teeth - Turn off the tap and use a glass for rinsing.
• Washing dishes - Skip pre-rinsing - scrape leftovers into the bin or compost. Only run the dishwasher when full.
• Washing clothes - Wash full loads and use the eco cycle if available.
• Garden - Water early morning or late evening (avoid 10am to 4pm) to reduce evaporation.
• Swimming pool - Use a pool cover to save 11,000–30,000 litres per year.
• Washing the car - Wash on the grass with a bucket and trigger nozzle to save water and water your lawn.
• Leaks (Taps and pipes) - Regularly check for leaks - they waste water and cost you money.

The myh2o website is a free service provided by council that helps residents monitor their water usage effectively. By signing up, you can:

• Track your water usage: Get detailed insights into your daily, weekly and monthly water consumption, helping you identify patterns and manage usage efficiently.
• Leak detection alerts: Receive real-time notifications if unusual water activity is detected, such as continuous flow that may indicate a leak.
• High consumption alerts: Be alerted when your water usage exceeds typical levels, allowing you to take immediate action to prevent excessive bills.

This service is especially useful for households looking to save on water costs, promote sustainability and detect leaks early to avoid costly damage.

Council has two types of water meters installed in the Mackay region, an integrated smart water meter and a mechanical water meter.

Both of our meters have dials that calculate your water bill and dials to let you know if you have a water leak.

• Download a copy of how to read your water meter fact sheet.(PDF, 666KB)

If you have a mechanical water meter, you can watch this short video.

Concealed Leaks

A concealed leak occurs in the main water supply pipe from the meter to your property, often underground or under structures like concrete or paving, making it hard to detect. These leaks can lead to high water bills. Regularly checking your meter can help identify concealed leaks.

How To Detect a Leak

• Read and record your meter.
• Avoid using water for several hours (overnight works best).
• Recheck and record the meter.
• Any difference in the readings signals a leak, the greater the difference, the more severe the leak.

Concessions for Concealed Leaks

If a concealed leak is found, you may be eligible for a reduction in water charges if:

• The leak was concealed and not visible.
• The leak was repaired promptly by a licensed plumber.
• The repair was done as soon as possible.
• The excessive consumption caused financial hardship.

To apply for a concession, submit an application form with a plumber’s report(PDF, 323KB) to the Customer Service Centre.

Water Meter Testing

You can test the accuracy of your water meter using a known container:

1. Record the meter reading.
2. Fill the container.
3. Recheck the meter reading.
4. Subtract the first reading from the second to calculate the consumption.
5. If the consumption matches the container’s capacity, the meter is accurate.

Council also offers a paid meter accuracy test. If the meter is accurate, the fee is retained; if not, the fee is refunded and an adjusted bill may be issued.

Exceptional Circumstances Relief

If unusually high consumption occurs (excluding concealed leaks), you may be eligible for relief under the Exceptional Circumstances Policy.(PDF, 323KB) This requires a plumber’s report confirming no leaks and evidence that the high consumption is not due to usage.