Unitywater delivering 1.8 million valve works to prevent pipe breaks
Unitywater is delivering a $1.8 million program of work to upgrade air and scour valves across its water supply network, to reduce the risk of damage to pipes and pumps and continue delivering safe, clean and sustainable water to Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Noosa. 

Crews are upgrading air and scour valves – which release air from water mains – to avoid pressure surges at 71 sites at Image Flat and Landers Shute in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Jinker Track in Moreton Bay.

Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Mike Basterfield, said there are approximately 4,000 air and scour valves across the network, which play a vital role in ensuring water mains are operating safely and efficiently.

“In essence, air valves allow water pipes to ‘breathe’, releasing any trapped air to avoid pressure surges which can damage the pipes and pumps or interrupt flows,” Mr Basterfield said. 

“Scour valves are used for controlled releases at low points of the network when we need to isolate sections of the main. This is important because if other works are happening nearby, we may need to take one part of the main offline and rely on another.”  

“Our proactive approach to investing in network renewal and maintenance like this helps ensure safe, clean drinking water continues to flow from our water reservoirs to the taps of homes and businesses in Unitywater’s service region.” 

Unitywater recently reported the lowest number of wastewater main breaks, leaks and chokes per 100 kilometres of sewer mains of all major utilities in the Bureau of Meteorology’s National Performance Report 2024-25. 

Mr Basterfield said the pipes receiving these upgrades were chosen based on age and where higher volumes of water have flowed through them over time. 

“This program forms part of our $500 million replacements and renewals program to upgrade water and wastewater assets over the next five years,” he said. 

The works, being delivered by Unitywater’s water and wastewater capital delivery program partner, Dormway, are scheduled for completion in coming months.

The local water supply will continue flowing as normal, and residents and businesses nearby can expect a letterbox notification to advise of potential temporary noise and traffic impacts ahead of works in the area.