Expect more burst water mains

More burst water mains can be expected across the metropolitan area with the Barnett Government cutting Water Corporation jobs and privatising its services.

That’s the blunt assessment from the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association with the Water Corporation infrastructure being pushed to breaking point because of reduced maintenance. 

Branch secretary Toni Walkington said the public should expect more burst water mains in the future unless the matter was urgently addressed.

“The Water Corporation has less staff and resources to maintain its infrastructure because the government wants to sell off the public assets,” Ms Walkington said. 

“In recent weeks we have been hearing, on an almost daily basis, of burst water mains that have affected traffic.

“There have been some major bursts including one that damaged businesses in July, including Save Our Children that had many of its books damaged.” 

The Save Our Water rally in Leederville today not only highlights the impact of job and funding cuts to the Water Corporation but is an opportunity to collect books for Save Our Children. 

Union members have been collecting books that will be handed over to the organisation.

Mrs Walkington said earlier this year the Barnett Government said it was going to shed 10 percent of the Water Corporation workforce but did so with very little consultation or consideration to what the impacts will be. 

“How can an organisation be expected to deliver the same results and protect its much-needed public assets if it has less staff and funds to do so?” Ms Walkington asked.

“Case studies from around the world show that privatisating water is a bad idea because the level of maintenance drops and the cost of providing that service increases dramatically.

“We are concerned about plans to privatise our water assets and how the government is going to meet the challenge of delivering a quality, affordable and reliable water service in the future. 

“We call on the Barnett Government to commit to the proper investment of water assets and planned maintenance rather than cutting back and selling off services.”