Awetter than average end to 2022, combined with SA Water’s continued investment in maintaining South Australia’s water network, has underpinned the lowest number of water main leaks and breaks recorded across the utility’s statewide network since 2017.

There were 3532 water main leaks and breaks were reported in 2022 across SA Water’s 27,000-kilometre network, compared to 3782 in 2021.

Last year was also below the annual average for the past 10 years.

This included 1688 water main incidents across regional areas in 2022 – the lowest rate in the past decade.

These figures include everything from major breaks to minor pipe leaks, damp patches and trickles on the road.

SA Water’s Capital Delivery Senior Manager Peter Seltsikas said historically the number one cause of water main leaks and breaks was the impact of weather on reactive clay soils and therefore underground pressurised water pipes, particularly during the transition between hot and cool seasons.

“Above average rainfall which the state experienced throughout spring last year was crucial in maintaining soil moisture and helping to reduce stress on the water main network, and this is likely to be the driving factor behind a continued decrease in network faults,” he said.

“This is similar to what we experienced in both 2020 and 2021, where relatively mild transitions between seasons underpinned stable levels of moisture, and therefore fewer main breaks.

“Our data also shows the number of pressure-related faults – often an indicator of a pipe’s health – decreased by around 5% compared to 2021, indicating the benefits of a $155m program of works across 2020-2024 to maintain our statewide water infrastructure.

“Last year we installed 78km of new water main, which coupled with our smart water networks, water valve upgrades and water pressure management program, aims to further improve services for our customers.”

Mr Seltsikas said the results followed the Bureau of Meteorology’s annual National Performance Report (NPR): urban water utilities for 2021-22, which continues to confirm SA Water’s network as among the best performing in Australia.

“The 2021-22 results show South Australians experienced 13.3 water main breaks or leaks per 100km of pipe, which is lower than the average of 17.9 and better than more than half of comparable-sized Australian water utilities (with 100,000 or more customers),” he said.