Low Water Pressure: Your Essential Guide to Identifying, Understanding and Addressing the Issue

The City of Gold Coast determines the water pressure for each property connected to the public water supply network, aiming to offer a consistent minimum pressure of 220 kPa at the point where properties are connected.

Water pressure within the council’s network is managed to vary between 220 kPa and up to approximately 900 kPa. This regulation is crucial for several reasons:

• Minimising Leakage: By keeping the pressure under 900 kPa, the council significantly reduces the risk of leaks from pipe joints, valves, hydrants, and fittings, which helps cut down on water loss and associated costs.
• Preventing Pipe Bursts: Lowering the likelihood of bursts in the water pipes decreases the need for costly repairs and further conserves water resources.
• Protecting Private Plumbing: Maintaining pressure within this range also helps to avoid damage to the plumbing systems within private properties, ensuring that residential and commercial plumbing remains intact and functional.

The City of Gold Coast aims to provide everyone with a reliable and sustainable water supply by carefully managing water pressure across the network.

According to the Australian Standards AS/NZS 3500.1:2021, measures are required to ensure that the maximum operating pressure within any building does not surpass 500 kPa.This is covered by Clause 3.3.4 Maximum pressure within buildings, which states, “The maximum static pressure at any outlet, other than a fire service outlet, within a building shall not exceed 500 kPa.”

Consequently, buildings that have been constructed or undergone renovation since 2003 are supposed to have had a pressure reduction valve installed at the boundary after the water meter to comply with this standard.

Water pressure issues within your property can arise from a variety of causes, including:

• Plumbing Problems on Your Property: This can range from blocked pipes and concealed leaks to malfunctioning pressure reduction valves.
• Installation of New Water Appliances: Adding new appliances to your system may alter your property’s water pressure dynamics.
• Infrastructure Failures: A burst pipe or leaking water main within the municipal system can significantly impact your water pressure.
• High Demand Periods: Occasional spikes in water demand, often during peak usage times, can temporarily lower pressure.
• Firefighting Efforts: Water used in extinguishing fires nearby can cause a noticeable drop in pressure.
• Maintenance Work by the Council: Routine or emergency maintenance activities, such as hydrant flushing or flow testing, may temporarily affect water pressure.
• Geographical Factors: Natural pressure variations based on your property’s location, like elevation extremes, can influence the water pressure experienced.

Understanding these potential causes is the first step in troubleshooting and managing water pressure issues effectively, ensuring a steady and reliable water supply within the standards set forth by the Plumbing Code of Australia in AS/NZS 3500.1:2021.

A Pressure Reduction Valve (PRV) is an essential device in plumbing systems designed to modulate the water pressure from the council supply to a safer, more manageable level.

Normally set at 500 kPa, as required by Australian Standards, AS/NZS 3500.1:2021.

The PRV is installed at the point where the main water supply enters your home. It consists of a spring-loaded mechanism that constricts or expands to allow more or less water through based on the pressure of the incoming water. When water pressure from the council mains is too high, the valve reduces the force of the water by constricting the flow area, thus lowering the pressure before it enters your home’s plumbing. Conversely, if the incoming pressure is below the set level, the valve remains open to ensure adequate water flow.

PRVs automatically adjust the incoming high water pressure to the regulated level of 500 kPa before circulating through a building’s water reticulation piping. This safeguard ensures that the water pressure remains within a safe threshold, preventing potential damage to the infrastructure and appliances.

By maintaining the water pressure at 500 kPa, PRVs play a pivotal role in:

• Preventing Damage: They avert the stress on pipes and appliances that can lead to leaks or bursts by ensuring that the pressure within the home’s plumbing system does not exceed the safe limit of 500 kPa. 
• Ensuring Efficiency: By maintaining a consistent pressure level, the PRV ensures that water is delivered throughout the home at a steady and usable rate, regardless of fluctuations in the council supply. This consistency is crucial for the optimal performance of water heaters, toilets, dishwashers, and other appliances that rely on stable water pressure to operate effectively.
• Protecting Against Surges: The valve acts as a buffer against sudden increases in water pressure due to external factors. These surges can cause immediate damage to a system without a PRV, resulting in costly repairs and potential water wastage.

In essence, Pressure Reduction Valves are indispensable for ensuring a balanced, safe, and efficient home water delivery system, complying with AS/NZS 3500.1:2021 Clause 3.3.4 Maximum pressure within buildings, which states, “The maximum static pressure at any outlet, other than a fire service outlet, within a building shall not exceed 500 kPa.” 

Water pressure refers to the force that water exerts as it moves through the pipes and taps of a home, playing a vital role in the functionality of the household’s plumbing system.

This force directly affects the operation of various appliances, including washing machines and dishwashers, as well as the quality of showers, ensuring that daily activities proceed smoothly.

 Water pressure should fall within the range of 280 to 500 kilopascals (kPa) to guarantee that plumbing systems operate efficiently and without issue. However, deviations from this range, either too low or too high, can cause significant problems. 

Low water pressure may result in inadequate water flow, affecting everything from showering to the efficiency of water-using appliances. In contrast, excessively high pressure can stress pipes, leading to leaks, bursts, and considerable damage to the home’s plumbing infrastructure over time.