Water carrier guidelines

Overview

  • Vehicles must not be used for any other purpose than domestic water distribution e.g. not for recycled water or effluent.
  • Carriers must present their vehicle for inspection by a Council officer at any reasonable time. Failure to present the vehicle for inspection may lead to cancellation of the business’s water carrier licence.
  • Carriers may only source treated drinking water from an approved potable water source, e.g. Council standpipe.
  • You must take adequate measures to prevent contamination of the source of supply, distribution tank and container into which the water is being transferred
  • Water carriers only need to be licensed by one Council, even if they deliver to other council areas.
  • Water carriers need to get their licence from the local government area in which they garage the vehicle.
  • Logan City Council only licenses domestic water distribution vehicles registered to an address in Logan City.

Hoses, pumps and fittings

  • Pump and related fittings (including hoses and pipes) are to be used only for drawing water for human consumption.
  • Delivery hoses must comply with relevant Australian Standards, e.g., 2070–1999 Plastic materials for food contact use or relevant international standard.
  • Hoses, fittings, pump and water tank must be kept leak-free in a clean and well-maintained condition externally and internally at all times.
  • Suitable storage areas for fittings and hoses must be provided on the tanker to prevent contamination. The delivery fittings attached to the delivery pump must be adequately capped and protected to prevent contamination of couplings and fittings.

Water tank inner lining

  • Tanks used for the storage and transportation of potable water need to be made with materials that do no compromise the safety of the water. The material used must be suitable and safe for contact with potable water under the relevant Australian Standard.
  • Applicable standards or certification include:
    • AS/NZS 4020: 2018 Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water
    • AS 2070: 1999 Plastics materials for food contact use
    • Australian Technical Standard ATS 5200.026: 2004 Technical Specification for Plumbing and Drainage Products, Cold Water Storage Products
    • AS/NZS 4766: 2006 Rotationally moulded buried, partially buried and non-buried storage tanks for water and chemicals
    • WaterMark
    • Lining materials used within containers and fittings must comply with Australian Standard 4020-2018 Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water
    • Inner tank must be rust-free. If rust proofing is needed, you must use an approved rust proof treatment suitable for drinking water. It must be applied under the manufacturer’s instructions
    • Internal coating of mild steel for water distribution tanks must not be carried out until all welding is complete and the interior surfaces of the tank have been thoroughly de-scaled and cleaned
    • Coal tar-based products are not recommended as internal coatings or linings for drinking water storages. Organic chemicals leaching from these products act as a food source for bacteria promoting bacterial regrowth.

Backflow prevention

  • The water carrier must be fitted with appropriate backflow prevention system under Australian Standard AS3500: National Plumbing and Drainage Code.
  • Vehicles must be fitted with backflow prevention systems conforming to the medium hazard rating of AS/NZS 3500.1-2021 Plumbing and Drainage, Part 1: Water Services.
  • The water carrier must hold a current air-gap backflow certificate for the vessel.

Log books

Keep a record of all water taken from an authorised hydrant fill point in the log book supplied by Council.

Details required in a log book include:

  • place where water is obtained, the amount drawn and the metered standpipe readings
  • place and date where water is delivered and the amount at each location
  • printed name and signature of driver for each delivery
  • any treatment carried out to the tanker
  • any rejection of water.

Complaints about water quality from Council Standpipes

To reduce complaints about contaminated water we encourage operators to check the water quality collected from Council-approved water sources. If the operator believes Council’s water supply is contaminated, they must contact us immediately on 07 3412 3412.

Duty of carriers

Carriers must make sure that all persons involved in the bulk cartage of potable water are trained with at least one nominated food safety supervisor for the business.

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