Normally when you talk about water management and conserving what is now a precious commodity in one of the worst droughts on record you think of raising dam walls, installing pipelines and, why not, praying for a bit of rain.
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Orange City Council, though, is tackling the issue holistically.
And, earlier this month, the council started fixing leaks.
Central Coast specialist firm Water Intelligence Australia has been contracted to test for leaks on all 20,000 water meters and 4740 hydrants across Orange.
While 500 kilometres of underground water pipes will also be tested.
The contractors will make their way around town over the next three months, using different types of equipment to test for any leaks in underground pipes.
Testing is carried out by using high-tech acoustic equipment which listens for noises that can be signs of a leak.
Orange City Council wants to eliminate leaks, which waste water at a time when we need it most.
- Orange mayor Reg Kidd
Once a leak is detected it will be repaired by council staff.
Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd said this is council's way of taking that extra step to ensure the city's water is not being wasted "and our pipelines are intact".
"While staff members will be accessing residential front yards, they won't need to go inside houses, and residents will be able to ask them to show some identification," Cr Kidd said.
For the leak detection work to be carried out, crews will have to access residential front yards to inspect the pipes and meters.
"Orange City Council wants to eliminate leaks, which waste water at a time when we need it most." Cr Kidd added.
Work officially started on Monday, September 2 and lengthy process is set to wrap up by the beginning of December.
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