Water quality and pressure issues

A metallic taste to your water is commonly caused by rusting galvanised iron pipes on your property. The unpleasant taste may be particularly noticeable in tea and coffee. This issue usually only occurs in older properties, as newer properties generally don't use galvanised iron pipes for drinking water.

Check the water coming from the tap closest to your water meter. If the metallic taste is not as strong as the internal taps, it is likely the issue is within your property.

Try turning your affected tap on full for a few minutes. If the taste disappears, it could be due to rusting galvanised iron pipes. This will only be a temporary solution. If the issue persists, you should consider contacting a plumber to have your pipes inspected.

Chlorine is added to water as part of the treatment process before it is delivered to your home. This is to destroy organisms which can cause disease. A small amount of chlorine will still be present when the water reaches your house. Chlorine dissipates over time, so the closer you are to the water treatment plant the more noticeable the chlorine is likely to be.

If required, you can reduce the chlorine taste and odour by filling a jug and leaving it open in your fridge. After a few hours the chlorine will naturally dissipate from the water.

Naturally occurring sediment is present in our water, which can build up in water mains over time. If there is an increase in water flow due to a burst water main, or sudden increase in demand for water, this sediment can be stirred up and result in discolouration.

Rusting galvanised iron pipes can also cause your water to have a yellow, brown or red colour, particularly when you turn on a tap in the morning.

First, check the water coming from the tap closest to your water meter to see if it is clearer than the internal taps.

Try turning your affected tap on full for a few minutes. If the discolouration clears, or if it is only noticeable in certain taps, the problem is most likely internal to your property.

If the discolouration is only coming from your hot taps, consider contacting a plumber to have your hot water service inspected.

If the water doesn't clear, please contact us on 1300 363 200 or complete our Report a Fault form.

White or cloudy water can be caused by small air bubbles in the water. These bubbles are harmless.

To check if there is air in the water, fill a glass from your cold water tap and let it stand for a few minutes. If the water clears from the bottom up, then the issue was air in the water.

If your water does not clear in a few days, please contact us on 1300 363 200 or complete our Report a Fault form so we can help resolve the issue.

If the water pressure is low in your house, the first step is to check if you have a pressure reducing valve (PRV) on your water meter.

If your meter has a PRV, a plumber may be required to adjust it or check it is functioning properly.

Otherwise, you can check if the issue is in your property by performing a bucket test:

1. Make sure the stop tap at your water meter is completely open.

2. Get a 10 litre bucket.

3. Using the tap closest to your water meter, time how long it takes to fill the bucket with water.

4. If it fills in thirty seconds, this indicates that any water pressure issue is on your property (after the water meter). You will need to engage a plumber to look further into what is causing the problem.

5. If it does not fill in thirty seconds, this indicates an issue with the pressure of the water coming into your property (before the water meter). Please call us on 1300 363 200.

At any time if you are concerned, please contact us on 1300 363 200 or complete our Report a Fault form to report your problem as we may not be aware of the issue.