Emergency Water
Emergency Water is a vitally important service that SIRA manages for the community. It is a service that took much effort to put into place (see Emergency Water – A History) and which has been updated and improved over the years. The most recent developments were installation in 2021 of new pressure-assisted pumps, delivering an average flow rate of 5,000 litres per hour to all water lines and locations and an automated booking system which allows booking seven days a week.
Some important facts to remember are:
- The water supplied is non-potable: in other words, it is not treated to drinking water standards so is not meant for human consumption.
- SIRA members share joint responsibility for the waterline.
- Water bookings can only be accepted from SIRA members who have completed and signed the Agreement for Sale of Non-Potable Water from within the water booking app.
Why do you need to be a member of SIRA and sign the Agreement?
In 2004, SIRA sought legal advice and was advised to:
- take out public liability insurance and
- require each purchaser of Emergency Water to be a member of SIRA to further mitigate against liability.
How the system works
The system is automated and has the following functionality:
- Online bookings
- Operation of the line’s main valves
- Measurement of quantity of water delivered
- Billing and collection
Water Manager and Monitor Contact Details
How do you buy Emergency Water?
Step 1: Become a current SIRA member, then login into the booking app. You can do all of this here:
Step 2: Make your booking
Remember: don’t wait until your tank is empty to book water!
Full instructions on How to book water are here, including logging in, booking a time slot, viewing your booking, changing your booking (up to 24 hours before the booking) and your invoices. There is also a section on how to cancel your booking. Note that you will need a PIN but instructions on how to get a PIN (if you don’t have one) are also at this site.
- Water Lines 1, 2 and 3 are available for bookings 7 days a week at the next availability that suits you. You can find out what waterline you are on in the map below.
Map of Waterlines (click the map to enlarge)
- You’ll receive a confirmation with your booking details once you’ve booked, and you’ll also receive a reminder email 30 hours before your booking and one hour before your booking.
- When you receive your booking confirmation you will see the booking before and after you on your line. However, they may not be directly before or after you. Another line could be using the time slot before or after you, so you still need to walk your line from your standpipe to the main junction on Richard Road above Bells Wharf to check connections and valves to ensure water arrives at your property. (See Troubleshooting under Step 3)
- You can change your booking up to 24 hours before it starts. Look for the Change button when you access your booking. This releases available time for someone else in need. Note that a cancellation fee of $10 applies for late cancellations, plus any water taken before the cancellation.
- A 3-hour booking can deliver approx. 15,000 litres, so consider how long you need for your booking to help reduce water delivery time that could be booked by another user.
- Operational hours are between 7:00 am to 10:00 pm weekdays and 8:00 am to 10:00 pm weekends, due to noise concerns for residents living near the pump, so these are the best hours for bookings.
- To get water outside of operational hours, you can make a longer overnight booking if required, but only mains pressure provided at the time will be available. Depending on your location this can affect the water flow rate significantly.
- More information on the features and improvements in the booking system in 2021 are available here.
Can’t book online? Here’s what to do.
Only if you are not able to make an online booking:
(You will receive all confirmations, reminders, invoices and receipts via email) |
Step 3: Get your water
Make sure you have a compliant connection.
Are my connections compliant?
A complying connection to all main line standpipes is required as follows:
- 1 x 40mm (1½ inch) poly BSP female fitting (nut & tail) plus male fitting (barbed tail)
- 1 x meter braided clear polyurethane flexible pipe (food grade)
- 2 x stainless steel clamps for each end
- 1 x plug to keep the pipe clean and prevent the washer from falling out of ‘nut & tail’
- flexible pipe for a clear view of water flow, more easily managed attachment to and from standpipe and reduced strain on standpipe when turning valve on and off
- individual fittings to connect to your existing pipe system, as required
- recommended: upgrade the existing pipe to your tank to 40mm to maximise flow
For flexible connection to be assembled ready for use and any additional flexible pipe, email Water Manager water@sira.org.au or purchase fittings ONLY from: Gainfort’s Plumbing and Electrical, Darley Street, Mona Vale
Getting Water
How to get water (automated)
Read the comprehensive guide online
- Close off the main line valve past your standpipe to block water and maximise flow into your tank.
- Connect your standpipe to your tank
- To start your booking via the app, go to sira.org.au. Alternatively, you can use the Console at the top of Bell steps to start your booking.
- Turn on your standpipe valve and check that water is flowing into your tank. Allow at least 15 – 20 minutes for line to charge in some areas.
- If there is no flow, walk the main line and check all valves to locate any problems or leaks.
- Important: any problems or leaks turn off the water via the App or the Console touch screen advise the water monitor
- Check collection regularly at your tank against the quantity shown in the app as water metered during booking period is your responsibility.
- When your booking is completed Finish your booking on the app via sira.org.au or via the Console, open up main line valve past your standpipe, disconnect your fitting.
- Pay your invoice.
How to get water (only if the automated system is down)
- Take meter readings at start and finish of booking from correct line meter. If these meter readings are not taken, then readings reported by other bookings must be accepted.
- Close off the main line valve past your standpipe to block water and maximise flow into your tank.
- Turn on your standpipe valve and check that water is flowing into your tank. Allow at least 15 – 20 minutes for line to charge in some areas.
- If there is no flow, walk the main line and check all valves to locate any problems or leaks.
- Important: any problems or leaks turn off the main line valve at Bell and advise monitor
- Check collection regularly as water metered during booking period is your responsibility.
- When your booking is completed turn off your standpipe valve, open up main line valve, disconnect your fitting and take final reading at Bell from the correct meter.
- Advise meter readings to your monitor within 24 hours to calculate litres and charge.
Location of the Console (and water meters)
- First time users should locate and walk their line prior to booking – ask your neighbour!
- Lines 1, 2 and 3 are electronically metered at the top of the stairs of Bell Wharf. They are located within a box within a cage on the platform.
- The Console is located to the right of the meter box. Step onto the platform to approach the Console. Lift the flap to operate the touch display.
- Only in case the automated system is down: Main line valves are positioned on either side of platform and identified by numbered white reflector posts. Lines 1 and 3 towards Carol’s Wharf to the left of platform and Line 2 towards Cargo Wharf to the right of steps.
How to connect
A complying connection to all main line standpipes is required as follows:
- 1 x 40mm (1½ inch) poly BSP female fitting (nut & tail) plus male fitting (barbed tail)
- 1 x meter braided clear polyurethane flexible pipe (food grade)
- 2 x stainless steel clamps for each end
- 1 x plug to keep the pipe clean and prevent the washer from falling out of ‘nut & tail’
- flexible pipe for a clear view of water flow, more easily managed attachment to and from standpipe and reduced strain on standpipe when turning valve on and off
- individual fittings to connect to your existing pipe system, as required
- recommended: upgrade the existing pipe to your tank to 40mm to maximise flow
For flexible connection to be assembled ready for use and any additional flexible pipe, email Water Manager water@sira.org.au or purchase fittings ONLY from: Gainfort’s Plumbing and Electrical, Darley Street, Mona Vale
Troubleshooting
- If you are having problems or leaks, turn the water off from the app or from the Console touch screen.
- Walk the line locate any issues that may stop you from receiving water, and take action if possible.
- Ring the monitor immediately to notify any problems, breaks or leaks
- Return standpipe valve to off position and reopen main line valve
- Contact the next booking to advise water is turned off
Note: Repairs to the Main Line or standpipes will be actioned as soon as possible after inspection.
Remember you are responsible!
- If water is lost for any reason during booking period, check your flow.
- If you finish early make make sure that your finish your booking via the app on sira.org.au or via the Console.
- When booking is finished return standpipe valve off and open main line valve ready for next booking
- Disconnect fitting from your standpipe immediately after booking
- CONNECTIONS TO STANDPIPES ARE NON-PERMANENT and must comply as described
Step 4: Pay for your water
You will receive an invoice by email, and a receipt after the payment has been processed.
Charges and conditions
- SIRA water charge: $6.21 per 1,000 litres
- Online Booking fee: $5.18 per booking
- Booking fee for bookings via Water Monitor: $15.53 per booking
- Urgent Booking fee: $31.05. If your tank is empty or near empty and you make an urgent call to the water monitor, they may be able to rearrange existing bookings so that you can have a small emergency quantity of water. The booking fee in this situation is $30 to cover extra time and costs.
- Invoices will be sent by email – receipts will be sent by email after the payment has been processed.
- Payment must be received within 14 days
- Late fee of $10 applies to overdue payments
- Outstanding accounts: bookings will not be accepted and/or pre-payment will be required
- Cancellations: a minimum 24 hours cancellation notice is required or a late cancellation fee of $10 will be charged, plus any water metered during booking period. Cancellation can be done via the water booking app.
Payment Options
Click on the link in the invoice you received or log in to the water booking app via sira.org.au and pay.
- The payment screens offer several payment options for your convenience:We accept:
- Apple Pay or Google Pay
- Most debit cards and credit cards, now including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, JCB, China Union, etc.
- Pre–authorised payment of an invoice with your card details stored securely with Stripe.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact the Water Monitor or Water Manager:
Water Monitor: Rowena Dubberley Email: Water1@sira.org.au Ph: 0420 240 547
Water Manager: John Courmadias water@sira.org.au Ph: 0412 128 523