Regional Leakage Reduction Program - Local Water Utility Projects

Leak detection equipment

This program supports Local Water Utilities to reduce Non Revenue Water in regional NSW. Selected projects are co-funded with Local Water Utilities in the areas of capacity building, pressure management, leakage control and metering. 

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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: Up to $150,000
  • Application opened: 29 March 2023
  • Application closed: 28 April 2023, 5:00 pm

Program objective

The Regional Leakage Reduction Program aims to reduce network leakage across regional NSW by finding leaks in supply networks and by improving infrastructure and Local Water Utilities capability to maintain leakage reductions achieved.  

Regional Leakage Reduction Program objectives :  

Reduce leakage:

  • Reduce average Non Revenue Water across Local Water Utilities from 13% to 10% (water saving of 7.5 GL/year)   
  • Reduce Top 30 priority Local Water Utilities Non Revenue Water from 21% to 13% (water saving of 5 GL/year).

Sustain leakage reduction: 

  • Improved industry collaboration, maturity, and awareness   
  • Improved network measurement, detection, and reduction assets (bulk meters, sensors, pressure management)   
  • Improved data quality .  

The Regional Leakage Reduction Program – Local Water Utility Projects will support delivery of these objectives by implementing approaches to reduce Non Revenue Water in regional NSW. The program will co-fund projects with Local Water Utilities in the areas of capacity building, pressure management, leakage control, and metering.

The program co-funds selected projects with Local Water Utilities in the areas of capacity building, pressure management, leakage control and metering.  Funding levels for successful applicants will be consistent with the 

File

Safe and Secure Water Program subsidy levels (PDF 82.19KB)

The maximum subsidy value will be capped at $150,000 per Local Water Utility. 

This program is funded and administered by Department of Planning and Environment.

Eligibility

Who can apply

  • NSW Local Councils, as identified under the Local Government Act 1993 (that provide water supply and/or sewerage services under Section 56). Councils are required to co-fund projects as per the Safe and Secure Water Program subsidy levels, which requires a contribution ranging from 10% to 75%. 

Types of projects funded under this grant

Utilising the results of the Water Loss Management Maturity Survey, successful Local Water Utilities will be aligned to and receive co-funding for, the following types of projects: 

Pressure management: 

  • Data logging
  • PRV maintenance 

Active leak control: 

  • Basic active leak detection equipment supply and training
  • Leak noise loggers
  • Trunk mains monitoring.  

Metering: 

  • Customer meter accuracy testing
  • Bulk meter verification and calibration
  • DMA analysis
  • DMA meter monitoring and installation.   

What can’t you apply for

  • Costs that are not directly associated with the implementation or delivery of the project.
  • Operating expenses such as rent, insurance, electricity, water, rates or funding towards the running of other programs within the organisation.
  • Existing projects or programs.

Example projects

Based on the results of the Water Loss Management Maturity Survey, successful Local Water Utilities may receive co-funding for projects such as:

The supply, installation and capacity building in the use of:

  • Pressure data loggers
  • Pressure reducing valves
  • Leak noise loggers
  • Electronic listening sticks and ground microphones
  • Bulk and District Metered Area meters
  • Accuracy testing of customer meters. 

Most recent recipients

All recipients (13)

What your application needs to include

Download the application form (DOCX 141.83KB) and the Water Loss Management Maturity Survey (XLSX 131.14KB). You can also download the complete grants program guidelines (PDF 221.25KB).

 

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

  • Complete the Water Loss Management Maturity Survey
  • Complete the application form
2

Address the eligibility criteria

  • NSW Local Councils, as identified under the Local Government Act 1993 (that provide water supply and/or sewerage services under Section 56). Councils are required to co-fund projects as per the Safe and Secure Water Program subsidy levels, which requires a contribution ranging from 10% to 75%. 
3

Address the assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed on:

  • Water Loss Management Maturity Survey results
  • Demonstrated capacity to deliver the project within the required timeframe
  • Commitment to co-fund projects
  • Willingness to participate in the evaluation process and a complete a detailed case study. 

Local Water Utilities will also be prioritised based upon:

  • Department of Planning and Environment's assessed water source security risk
  • Reported Non Revenue Water. 

Start the application

Applications for this grant can be emailed to water.efficiencyprogram@dpie.nsw.gov.au by 5:00pm Friday 28 April 2023.

Please include your completed application form and Water Loss Management Maturity Survey in your email.

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: the Department of Planning and Environment - Water.

The applications will be assessed by a panel and both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified. Successful applicants must be available for two interviews to validate data and confirm projects, between 5-31 May 2023.

Support and contact

Email: water.efficiencyprogram@dpie.nsw.gov.au 

 

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