I am writing this article our of shear frustration with a government body who continually advertises we should be more water-wise. Upon noting a small hissing sound next to out water main at the front of our house, and satisfied that our home water meter wasn't ticking over next to the hiss, I discovered a water leak underground. No ticking at the water meter normally suggests no leak and water not being used on our property. At the time of taking a peak and check for a tick or two. Satisfied there was no movement or tick I walk away scratching my head and pray I won't be later billed for the loss of water streaming out over the footpath.

Three plumbing inspections later by independent plumbers, it was confirmed the problem should be raised to Sydney Water for their attention. A call to a help line which talks in "gobbily-gook" about plumbing facilities and me being a woman, meant I had to decipher the terms so we are on the same wavelength as one another.I am later informed that the job would be logged and it may not be looked at for up to 10 working days.
"Ten working days of water pissing out over the footpath, whilst we are living in a drought stricken country where I am lucky to water the garden or lawn under strict guidelines"

We are bombarded with advertising and paper paraphernalia of "Tips to save water" almost every turn of the head. I ask myself how does this make sense if the simplest of tasks cannot be done by a government body? Like fix the leak before we revert to installing tanks, Grey water systems, having shorter showers ect. I can already here the cynics out there, saying "Well that's the government for you!"

Learn more about this author, Linda Mueller.
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