Council Enlists Four-legged Experts to Sniff Out Hidden Water Leaks

Bathurst Regional Council is taking proactive steps to reduce water loss and strengthen the resilience of the water network, with specialist canine leak detection currently underway across the local area. 

The initiative is part of a broader regional collaboration delivered in partnership with Central NSW Joint Organisation (CNSWJO) and neighbouring councils, funded by the NSW Government under the Water Loss Management and Efficiency Hub. 

Trained leak detection dogs will be working with their expert handler, Nicole Harvey from Cutting Edge Canine, alongside council water utilities staff to locate hidden leaks before they escalate into larger and more costly issues.  

Mayor of Bathurst, Cr Robert Taylor, stated the importance of innovative approaches to managing local water networks.  

“Living in the country, we know the value of a good working dog. They have amazing skills and are being used more and more to sniff things out. Using them to find water leaks is just another tool in the kit that helps us find the problem quickly and save water with minimal disruption to the community,” said Mayor Taylor. 

Canine leak detection compliments traditional leak detection methods providing councils with additional tools to manage their water networks and make the most of every drop. The dogs can locate leaks in areas where traditional leak detection methods may be less effective or are more difficult to access. 

“The dogs are very agile and can cover more ground, much faster than a person. Their super sensitive noses allow them to sniff out early leaks in even the hardest to access areas and prevent that water loss from becoming a larger leak down the track”, said Nicole Harvey, Cutting Edge Canine. 

The Water Loss Management and Efficiency Hub has recently received state-wide recognition winning the NSW Australian Water Association State Award for Organisational Excellence. 

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Manager of Water Efficiency said it’s great to be able to support practical, on-the-ground innovations like this that help councils reduce water loss and make the most of every drop, while cutting costs associated with hidden leaks.  

“The Water Loss Management and Efficiency Hub is about providing the tools councils need to act early and this initiative proves how collaboration and creative solutions can deliver real benefits for local communities and the environment”, said NSW DCCEEW Manager of Water Efficiency 

Canine leak detection will be taking place in Bathurst on Wednesday 13 May. 

Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer 

P: 02 6333 6179 M: 0448 685 340 E: genevieve.green@bathurst.nsw.gov.au