Commissioning pipes and other assets

Commissioning pipes and other assets

Before new water pipes are ready to deliver water to customers, they undergo a detailed commissioning process that can take several days or even weeks. This can involve flushing the pipes with treated drinking water to remove any contaminants and reduce the natural pH increase caused by water interacting with the concrete lining.

Water discharges as part of the commissioning process are a normal and essential part of our operations. These controlled releases support the safe maintenance and commissioning of pipelines, storage tanks, and other water infrastructure. They aren’t wasteful, they’re a necessary step to ensure the network remains safe, resilient, and ready to perform as intended.

After flushing pipes, our crews then complete disinfection and water quality testing to ensure the new infrastructure is clean, safe, and meets Australian water quality drinking standards before being connected to the network.

Protecting water quality and the environment

Any water discharged from the network is carefully managed. Crews follow strict procedures to protect water quality and ensure all activities comply with environmental regulations. This includes arranging appropriate water reuse options, where possible, or choosing appropriate discharge locations, where flow rates are monitored to prevent erosion or runoff into sensitive areas.

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