Standpipes

We have a number of standpipes that can be accessed by application by commercial water carriers, contractors or property owners who are not connected to the town water supply.

Cost to access bulk, treated water from the standpipes is a set price - for 2022-23, this is $2.79 per kilolitre.

Apply for access to GVW's standpipes

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. Once we've approved your access, you'll recieve an access key/card via post.

The Department of Health and Human Services 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.

Standpipe service updates

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.

Standpipe locations

You can find all the details and access specifications for each of our standpipes below.

If you need assistance or experience any issues with a standpipe, please call our 24/7 customer service team on 1800 454 500.

Note: our recycled water purple standpipe in Euroa is currently unavailable. We expect it may resume operation in October, but we'll send an SMS to users to confirm when it reopens.

Standpipe upgrade project

We're currently working on a major project to upgrade our existing overhead fill standpipes to safer, easier to use waist-level fill standpipes. The new standpipes will be more accessible, with card payment options for small users, as well as new card access options for large users, with the whole system managed electronically - removing the manual checking and authorising, and paper recording processes.

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 more more customers will be able to access the 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, 

Standpipes that have been upgraded are indicated in the table above as 'New standpipe' or in the downloadable list as 'low level fill'.

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.