Water Flowing from StandpipeThe provision of Emergency Non-potable Water is an essential service that SIRA provides to the community and comes with some risk. SIRA members share joint responsibility for the waterline and water bookings will only be accepted from SIRA members who have completed and signed the Agreement for Sale of Non-Potable Water from within the water booking app.

Contact your Water Monitor if you are not able to use the water booking app (you will need to be a SIRA member and sign a paper based agreement).

To become a current SIRA member and login to the water booking app:

Read about the history of this vital service to the island.


Emergency Water System Update

SIRA is continuously working on improving access to water delivery for the Community.

New Pressure assisted pumps were installed late April 2021 due to mains pressure no longer being enough to push water to some households around and over the Island.
These new pumps are delivering an average flow rate of 5,000 litres per hour to all water lines and locations, resulting in a significant reduction in water booking times. As a result, there is now more available time for bookings. This now allows us to take the next step and implement improvements to the water booking system (App)

It looks much the same so what has changed?

When making a booking:

• Your Water Booking will no longer be restricted to the days previously allocated to your line each week.
• This means you can make a water booking on any day of the week at the next availability that suits you. No more waiting for the days of the week allocated to your line.
• This makes available to everyone any unbooked time which was previously allocated to other lines and couldn’t be booked by a different line user.
Water Lines 1, 2 and 3 now available for bookings 7 days a week.
• When you receive your booking confirmation you will still see the booking before and after you on your line however, they may not be directly before or after you. Another line could be in use at that time, so you still need to walk your line to check connections and valves to ensure water arrives at your property.
• You will also now be able to change your booking up to 24 hours before it starts. Look for the extra Change button when you access your booking. This means if you are not going to be here to take water or if you have collected rainwater recently you can change your booking. This releases available time for someone else in need.
• With the increased flow rate during the Pump operational hours (Pump hours are 7.00am to 10.00pm weekdays & 8.00am to 10.00pm weekends) Clearly the best time to make a water booking is during these times.
• If you are not able to book during the Pump operational hours you can still make a longer overnight booking from 10.00pm if required, but water supply will only be available at the mains pressure provided at the time. Depending on your location this can affect the water flow rate significantly.
• More information on the additional features and improvements in the booking system (App) click on the link below: https://sira.org.au/resources/Documents/Updated%20SIRA%20Water%20App.pdf

The updated booking system (app) will be live from Monday 4th October 2021
• Access to the new app is via the usual website https://sira.org.au

Additional Payment options

• The payment screens have also been updated offering additional new payment options for your convenience:
• For those familiar with digital wallets, we can now accept payments from Apple Pay or Google Pay.
• You can pay with most debit cards and credit cards, now including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, JCB, China Union, etc.
• For your convenience you can continue to pre-authorise payment of an invoice with your card details stored securely with Stripe.

To assist other emergency water users, when you make your next water booking during Pump hours consider how long you really need to book, remembering that a 3-hour booking can deliver approx. 15,000 litres. This will help reduce wasted water delivery time that could be booked by another user.

If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact your Water Manager or Monitors below.

Water Manager: Cass Gye water@sira.org.au Ph: 0418 220 107
Line 1 Water Monitor: Nikki Gibson water1@sira.org.au Ph: 0425 227 792
Line 2, Line 3 Water Monitor: Ian Laughton-Smith water2@sira.org.au Ph: 0404 833 674


Water Lines and Monitors

LineLocationsOperationWater Monitor
1Bell, via Carol’s,
Eastern to Pathilda Reserve
7 Days a WeekNikki Gibson
2Bell, via Cargo, Tennis to
Pathilda Reserve
7 Days a WeekIan Laughton-Smith
3Bell, via Top of
Island to Kevin Street
7 Days a WeekIan Laughton-Smith

How the system works

SIRA has introduced an automated system, with the following functionality:

  1. Bookings made online
  2. Operate the line main valves
  3. Measure water quantity delivered
  4. Billing and collection

Read the online documentation

View the water lines map (click the map to enlarge)

Contact details Water Monitors

Emergency Water Monitor – Line 1

Photo of Emergency Water Monitor – Line 1
Contact: Rowena Dubberley Work Phone: 0420 240 547

Emergency Water Monitor – Line 2

Photo of Emergency Water Monitor – Line 2
Contact: Rowena Dubberley Work Phone: 0420 240 547

How to book

  • Before booking: complete or renew your SIRA Membership (Sira.org.au)
  • Login to the water booking app via Sira.org.au and if necessary, sign the Agreement, from within the app.
  • Do not wait until your tank is low or empty!
  • Cancellations: a minimum 24 hours cancellation notice is required or late cancellation fee of $10.00 will be charged, plus any water metered during booking period
  1. Login to the water booking app via Sira.org.au and create your booking online.
  2. You will receive a confirmation email with your booking details.
  3. You will receive a reminder email 30 hours before the booking and 1 hour before the booking. The reminder will include details of who has a booking before and after you.
Only if you are not able to make an online booking:

  1. Telephone your Monitor between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. only, with the following information:
  1. Your name, address and telephone number
  2. Your tank capacity in litres
  3. Your preferred booking time and number of hours required
  1. Ask for name and telephone number of bookings before and after; make contact to confirm
  2. Phone to confirm booking 24 hours before allocated time and check any booking changes handover

(You will receive all confirmations, reminders, invoices and receipts via email)

Main Valve Line 2 at BellMain Valves Lines 1 and 3 at Bell

How to get water (automated)

Read the comprehensive guide online

  1. Close off the main line valve past your standpipe to block water and maximise flow into your tank.
  2. Connect your standpipe to your tank
  3. To start your booking via the app, go to sira.org.au. Alternatively, you can use the Console at the top of Bell steps to start your booking. 
  4. Turn on your standpipe valve and check that water is flowing into your tank. Allow at least 15 – 20 minutes for line to charge in some areas.
  5. If there is no flow, walk the main line and check all valves to locate any problems or leaks.
  6. Important: any problems or leaks turn off the water via the App or the Console touch screen advise the water monitor
  7. Check collection regularly at your tank against the quantity shown in the app as water metered during booking period is your responsibility.
  8. When your booking is completed Finish your booking on the app via sira.org.au or via the Console, open up main line valve past your standpipe, disconnect your fitting.
  9. Pay your invoice.

Main Line Valve at Standpipe Off PositionStandpipe in Open PositionMain Line Junction with ValvesMain Line Valve at Standpipe Off Position

How to get water (only if the automated system is down)

  1. Take meter readings at start and finish of booking from correct line meter. If these meter readings are not taken, then readings reported by other bookings must be accepted.
  2. Close off the main line valve past your standpipe to block water and maximise flow into your tank.
  3. Turn on your standpipe valve and check that water is flowing into your tank. Allow at least 15 – 20 minutes for line to charge in some areas.
  4. If there is no flow, walk the main line and check all valves to locate any problems or leaks.
  5. Important: any problems or leaks turn off the main line valve at Bell and advise monitor
  6. Check collection regularly as water metered during booking period is your responsibility.
  7. When your booking is completed turn off your standpipe valve, open up main line valve, disconnect your fitting and take final reading at Bell from the correct meter.
  8. Advise meter readings to your monitor within 24 hours to calculate litres and charge.

Main Line Valve at Standpipe Off PositionStandpipe in Open PositionMain Line Junction with ValvesMain Line Valve at Standpipe Off Position

Location of the Console (and water meters)

  • First time users should locate and walk their line prior to booking – ask your neighbour!
  • Lines 1, 2 and 3 are electronically metered at the top of the stairs of Bell Wharf. They are located within a box within a cage on the platform.
  • The Console is located to the right of the meter box. Step onto the platform to approach the Console. Lift the flap to operate the touch display.
  • Only in case the automated system is down: Main line valves are positioned on either side of platform and identified by numbered white reflector posts. Lines 1 and 3 towards Carol’s Wharf to the left of platform and Line 2 towards Cargo Wharf to the right of steps.

How to connect

A complying connection to all main line standpipes is required as follows:

  • 1 x 40mm (1½ inch) poly BSP female fitting (nut & tail) plus male fitting (barbed tail)
  • 1 x meter braided clear polyurethane flexible pipe (food grade)
  • 2 x stainless steel clamps for each end
  • 1 x plug to keep the pipe clean and prevent the washer from falling out of ‘nut & tail’
  • flexible pipe for a clear view of water flow, more easily managed attachment to and from standpipe and reduced strain on standpipe when turning valve on and off
  • individual fittings to connect to your existing pipe system, as required
  • recommended: upgrade the existing pipe to your tank to 40mm to maximise flow

For connection to be assembled ready for use call Cass Gye, or  obtain fittings from: Gainforts Plumbing and Electrical, Darley Street, Mona Vale.

Complying Connection

Complying Fitting Connected to Standpipe

Troubleshooting

  • If you are having problems, turn the water off from the app or from the Console.
  • Walk the line locate any issues that may stop you from receiving water, and take action if possible.
  • Ring your monitor immediately to notify any problems, breaks or leaks
  • Contact the next booking to advise water is turned off

Note: Repairs to the Main Line or standpipes will be actioned as soon as possible after inspection.

Remember you are responsible!

  • If water is lost for any reason during booking period, check your flow.
  •  If you finish early make make sure that your finish your booking via the app on sira.org.au or via the Console.
  • When booking is finished, reset all valves to make line ready for next booking
  • Disconnect fitting from your standpipe immediately after booking
  • Ensure connections to standpipes comply as described

Charges and conditions

  • S.I.R.A. water charge: $6 per 1,000 litres
  • Online Booking fee: $5 per booking
  • Booking fee for bookings via Water Monitor: $15 per booking
  • Urgent Booking fee: $30. If your tank is empty or near empty and you make an urgent call to your water monitor, they may be able to rearrange existing bookings so that you can have a small emergency quantity of water. The booking fee in this situation is $30 to cover extra time and costs.
  • Invoices will be sent by email – receipts will be sent by email after the payment has been processed.
  • Payment must be received within 14 days
  • Late fee of $10 applies to overdue payments
  • Outstanding accounts: bookings will not be accepted and/or pre-payment will be required
  • Cancellations: a minimum 24 hours cancellation notice is required or a late cancellation fee of $10 will be charged, plus any water metered during booking period. Cancellation can be done via the water booking app.

How to pay

Click on the link in the invoice you received or log in to the water booking app via sira.org.au and pay.

  • Pay with credit card
  • Pay with Poli Internet Transfer (Electronic transfer straight from your account)
  • Pay with PayPal (With the possibility to set up direct debit from your account)

By exception, the following methods may be accepted by Water Monitors at their discretion.

  • By cash –  to be made in person to your Water Monitor DO NOT SEND CASH BY MAIL

Important notice

Monitors work hard to keep you happy. Your understanding, civility and prompt payment is appreciated.
Monitors reserve the right to refuse bookings to any resident who is uncooperative and/or abusive.
Any resident found ‘taxing’ the water line will be ‘tagged’ as a problem source on that line. Remember to always switch off your tap and disconnect your hose at your standpipe at the completion of your booking.

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