Standpipes

Information regarding Standpipe New Account Suspension:

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic becomes more widespread, Goulburn Valley Water’s priority continues to be the safety of our staff and customers.

Issuing standpipe account cards and keys to new customers requires people to leave their homes to process new applications and/or collect cards and keys. We want people to stay at home to reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus.

So Goulburn Valley Water is suspending the processing of new standpipe account applications and the issuing of account cards and keys. This a temporary measure and we will process new applications again in the future.

We apologise for any inconvenient this may cause for some customers.

Customers can still access water at standpipes that have pay-as-you-go (PAYG) facilities. You can use any debit or credit card with ‘tap and go’ functionality.

Standpipes with PAYG facilities are located at:

• Cobram
• Nathalia
• Numurkah
• Shepparton (Florence St)
• Nagambie
• Seymour
• Kilmore
• Alexandra
• Mansfield

Existing standpipe account holders who have a card and key can continue using their accounts but cannot request additional cards or keys at this point in time.

Further information related to COVID-19 can be found here.

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We have a number of standpipes that can be accessed by application by commercial water carriers.

Access to these standpipes requires Goulburn Valley Water's approval. Approval can be obtained by completing the online form (PDF, 136kb), or by contacting our Accounting Services team or phoning (03) 5832 4885.

The Department of Health and Human Services has released an updated guidance note on water carting, a copy of the guidelines can be downloaded from Health Victoria's Food Safety website. These guidelines outline changes to the Standpipe Access Process and took effect on 1 January 2019. Please ensure you are familiar with the new guidelines prior to completing the application form.

Approval for access can be obtained by completing the online form.

Standpipe upgrade project

GVW is now using text messages to notify large standpipe users of upgrades, faults or issues with standpipes. Please register any key mobile phone numbers with us to receive updates and service notifications – email them to our Accounting Services team, and include your name/business name, mobile phone number and standpipe locations you use. You can find a list of standpipe locations as follows.

Goulburn Valley Water standpipes 

# - Non-potable water
* - Drought relief access available in these towns during severe drought season.

You can also download a printable version of the above location table (PDF, 41kb)

Standpipe upgrade update – 1 August 2019

With upgrades now completed on the Numurkah standpipe, the previous standpipe will no longer be accessible from Monday 5 August. Access will only be through the new bowser system - you can either use a your GVW Access Card, or a debit/credit card. You can apply for a GVW Access Card by completing the online form (PDF, 136kb).

Standpipe upgrade update – 22 July 2019

An additional solar panel and battery has been installed at standpipe sites in Cobram, Nathalia and Numurkah to improve service reliability and access for users, and sites are now up and running. Upgrades to these sites have also been recently completed as part of our $750,000 Standpipe Upgrade Project to improve safe access to the fill points. The additional battery and solar panel will also form part of the upgrade design for future standpipe upgrades. We also welcome your feedback on the upgrade and new design.

The upgrade project

We currently have 28, predominantly overhead, standpipes; 24 of which will be progressively upgraded.

Most existing standpipes are overhead fill. Users of these standpipes must register with GVW and by doing so will be issued with a designated Standpipe key. These keys unlock a lock that provides access to the on/off valve on the standpipe. At these standpipes, water meter readings are recorded in a book which is collected at the end of each month by GVW staff and returned to head office where the Finance Team calculate and issues invoices based on these recordings. It is up to users to fill in these books accurately.

We have experienced a number of issues with these standpipes as the current system relies on an honesty system and GVW checking hard copy books at regular intervals. This system is time consuming and inefficient and has led to theft of water, both intentionally and unintentionally. The new system will free up resources in the field and in the office, which well be better used on other tasks and improve safety for water carters, farmers, CFA and members of the public by moving fill points to a waist level fill.

The new system will deliver a standard design whereby water is delivered at waist height and payments are made via an account card (GVW issue) or credit/debit card payment; there is no cash payment option. The units are solar powered, allowing the systems to work at times of mains power outages and have a standardised 80mm male camlock fitting with a 25mm connection available for small users. These options increase the number of customers able to access standpipes and provide water supply for infrequent or one off purchases. A major benefit of the new system is that all usage is captured and transaction details transferred electronically, negating the need for GVW staff to collect books and distribute invoices.

The new standpipes will be installed by Abberfield Industries Pty Ltd. The total cost for the project is $748,000.