Metered standpipe hire
Under certain circumstances a metered standpipe can be hired to draw potable (drinking) water from the town water supply. Use of metered standpipes is limited and availability is reserved for situations where other options are not available.
To hire a metered standpipe, you need to complete an application form. Access to a water fill station will need to be assessed before the hire of a standpipe can be considered. Please refer to the list of approved uses below.
When you apply, we will ask you how long you need the standpipe and what it will be used for.
Handy links
| Use | Permitted | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Building Development – e.g. for brickworks, tile/brick cutting, equipment cleaning, general building use, excluding dust suppression and landscaping. |
A standpipe is not permitted to be used for purposes where a water service connection should have been made and a service connection application has not been submitted. Exception: unless a water service connection application has been made and delayed - Low Flow Standpipe. |
|
| Water supply to a construction site for toilets, drinking water and general use. | A standpipe is not permitted to be used for purposes where a water service connection should have been made and a service connection application has not been submitted. Exception: unless a water service connection application has been made and delayed - Low Flow Standpipe. |
|
| Concrete cutting |
Low Flow Standpipe (only in areas which are not connected to Unitywater water supply) |
|
| Earthworks on development sites | Low Flow Standpipe | |
| Road works (on development sites or otherwise) | Low Flow Standpipe | |
| Swimming pool and spa fills (residential and non-residential) | Low Flow Standpipe | |
| Domestic Water Carriers (i.e. delivery to residential rainwater tanks outside of the reticulated water supply) | 65mm high flow at designated locations or water fill station locations | |
| Dust suppression | Low Flow Standpipe | |
|
Landscaping (hydromulching and spray on lawn) |
Low Flow Standpipe | |
| Water Mains Pressure testing for new mains |
65mm high flow |
|
| Pressure and flow testing for determining fire flows etc. for new and renovated premises / developments | Not permitted | |
| Sewer mains pressure testing and cleaning |
Low Flow Standpipe Work method statement must be provided |
|
| Stormwater testing / cleaning (hydrostatic testing and disinfection) | 65mm high flow | |
| Tunnelling contractors (i.e. directional drilling) | Low Flow Standpipe | |
| Cleaning of portable toilets |
A standpipe is not permitted to be used for purposes where a water service connection should have been made and a service connection application has not been submitted. Where there is no water connection - Low Flow Standpipe |
|
| Bus shelter and the like cleaning | Low Flow Standpipe | |
| Wash down of driveways, paths and other hard surfaces | Low Flow Standpipe | |
| Wetting down of commercial prefabricated concrete buildings during construction |
A standpipe is not permitted to be used for purposes where a water service connection should have been made and a service connection application has not been submitted. Where there is no water connection - Low Flow Standpipe |
|
| Dewatering |
Classified by Unitywater as a high risk activity. Hire by application and assessment including additional hire conditions. |
Standpipe hire
Hire and use of a standpipe requires approval by Unitywater. Please read the following customer guide before submitting a completed application form:
Pr10667 - Metered Hydrant Standpipe Customer Guide (PDF 1.4MB)
Standpipe Application Form (PDF 648KB)
Be sure to include the following documents:
- backflow certificate for any tankers listed on your application or as requested for high risk activities
- public liability insurance certificate (no less than $20 million per claim)
- food business license issued by your local council (if applicable)
- standpipe operator training tickets issued by a recognised training provider (see organisations below)
- a completed water hygiene induction assessment form (PDF 143KB) after reading the water hygiene awareness program document (PDF 2MB).
- if being used on a site, a site plan of where and how the standpipe will be used. Please indicate the intended hydrant location on site plan.
Requesting an additional standpipe
Email retail.compliance@unitywater.com with these details:
- your Unitywater account number (if you know it)
- the reason for the standpipe hire
- what activity it will be used for
- the location where the standpipe will be used
- which of your trained operators will be responsible for the standpipe.
To request an additional standpipe, please complete the attached form.
We will then contact you to confirm the approval of your request. If approved, we will provide you with an invoice for the security deposit. Once the deposit is paid, we will arrange an appointment for you to collect the standpipe.
Mandatory training
Before hiring a metered standpipe, all operators are required to be trained in the safe operation of the equipment and to obtain a training ticket from one of the organisations listed below.
- Civil Train Queensland Phone: 07 3360 7933
- PACCT Pty Ltd Phone: 0419 646 369
Water Hygiene Induction
We are certified to the food safety management standard ISO 22000. An important component of the ISO 22000 standard is the implementation of a training and awareness program, which educates standpipe customers on their obligations under the management system.
Please download the awareness program document (PDF 2MB) and assessment form (PDF 143KB). Make sure your operators read the information document and then complete the assessment form. Please email the completed form with your application to retail.compliance@unitywater.com.
You will be notified about the outcome of your application within 10 business days.
Once approved, we will email you the invoice for the standpipe security deposit.
After your payment is confirmed, we will contact you to arrange an appointment for you to collect the standpipe from one of these Unitywater locations:
Northern Service Centre
Service Street, Maroochydore
Monday to Friday 7.30am to 3.00pm
Southern Service Centre
600 Market Drive, Morayfield
Monday to Friday 7.30am to 3.00pm
If you no longer require your standpipe please return it to one of the following locations:
Northern Service Centre
Service Street, Maroochydore
Monday to Friday 7.30am to 3.00pm
Southern Service Centre
600 Market Drive, Morayfield
Monday to Friday 7.30am to 3.00pm
After return of the standpipe your final account charges will be calculated and if there is a refund due we will contact you for your bank account details.
| Description | Unit | 2023-24 price ($ excl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit up to 32mm | per standpipe hire | $1,280.00 |
| Deposit 65mm and Low Flow | per standpipe hire | $2,160.00 |
| Monthly hire charge | per month (or part thereof) | $98.00 |
| Consumption | per kilolitre | $4.837^ |
| Late meter read fee | per month (or part thereof) | $98.00 |
| Late return fee - Backflow Certificate | per month (or part thereof) | $101.00 |
| Site visit | per hour | $171.00 |
^ The Seqwater bulk water portion has increased resulting in an overall price increase.
Please use the link below to provide your monthly standpipe reading and/or photograph.
Standpipe reading submission form
To complete the webform you will need:
- Your standpipe number/s
- The current meter reading
- Photograph of meter reading
Faulty standpipe
If your standpipe is faulty or damaged, please contact us within 24-48 hours to report the fault and arrange a replacement.
Standpipe damage will be assessed by us and if you are found to be at fault, an invoice for repairs will be sent to you.
Leaking hydrant location point
If you wish to report a leaking hydrant location, please contact us and advise of the hydrant location. We will then arrange for a repair.
Reporting an incident
Please report any incidents or problems to Unitywater, including:
- a complaint from a member of the public
- tanker leakage or spillage
- inappropriate or careless use of a standpipe resulting in injury or near miss
If the incident represents a risk to health and safety, please call Unitywater immediately on 1300 086 489.
If the incident is NOT a health or safety risk, please fill in the incident report form (PDF 103KB) and submit to Unitywater by email at retail.compliance@unitywater.com or post to PO Box 953, Caboolture Queensland 4510.
If the standpipe hired by you is lost or stolen, email retail.compliance@unitywater.com with these details:
- Queensland Police Service stolen or lost property report number
- the number of the standpipe that is lost or stolen
- a brief explanation of how it happened.
After these details are received we will estimate final charges for your account and provide you with an invoice.
Any security deposit paid will be forfeited and, if another standpipe is required, you will have to pay another deposit.
