In an effort to protect their potable water supplies Murrumbidgee Council will be digging around resident's properties and their pockets.
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Following their first meeting for 2019 council has agreed to exhibit a new backflow prevention policy.
Under the new policy residents in Coleambally, Jerilderie and Darlington Point will be required to have at least one backflow prevention device installed on their property.
The device is to be installed at the point of connection between their private water infrastructure, and council's portable water main.
Adopting the policy won't mean better water quality or pressure but it will mean water supplies aren't contaminated by backflowing water.
Through the policy council will have mechanisms in place to prosecute any customer who is not compliant in their water infrastructure responsibilities.
Council will also maintain their right to refuse customers water if they do not to become compliant.
The type of device that a customer has to have installed at their connection point will depend on the nature of their water usage, and the risk it poses for contaminating council's potable water through backflows.
Mayor Ruth McRae said council has been pushing for the new back flow prevention policy which is not a statutory requirement but is recommended by DPI.
"In 2014 the Department of Primary Industries released a circular which suggested local council's should be vigilant with the safeguarding of water at each of their reticulated water systems," Cr McRae said.
Council will begin installing a water prevention device for free at new residential properties which are supplied by council's potable water from a pipe of up to 25 millimeters in diameter.
Existing residential properties will have the devices installed as water meters undergo maintenance.
However, customers supplied by council from a pipe which is over 25 millimeters in diameter may have to pay for a different type of backflow prevention device.
These devices will be monitored annually at the customer's expense.
Residents with rain water tanks may also have to pay for an additional back flow prevention device to be installed on their tanks if the tanks are connected to water infrastructure connected to council's main.
The policy is on public exhibition until Wednesday April 3, with written submission on the policy accepted by council until Wednesday April 17.
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