The Shire of Wongan-Ballidu have established standpipes around the shire to allow farmers access to non-potable water for spraying and stock purposes if they have exhausted their personal reserves. Access to water from the standpipes requires a swipe card issued by Shire Administration.
There are no pumps within each standpipe's tanks, so water pressure is purely dependent on gravity. If you wish to take water out at a faster rate you will need to provide your own transfer pump.
These standpipes can be flipped into a Fire Mode during emergencies, where water can be taken without the need for a swipe card when a bushfire incident has occurred.
Swipe cards
Council acknowledges that the need to have standpipes to provide water to the community is important. Customers wishing to purchase water from the commercial and community standpipes will be able to via an electronic standpipe management system using a swipe card.
An initial cost of $62.00 to purchase the access card must be paid before the card is activated for use. If a card is lost the fee of $62.00 will still be applied to replace the card.
The card issued will be the sole purpose of accessing scheme water from any of the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu standpipes fitted with a swipe card controller.
Your business will be totally responsible for any scheme water accessed by this swipe card and will be charged at a rate of $12.00 per kilolitre as per Council’s fees and charges. These charges are subject to change without notice.
If a card is misplaced, please notify the Shire as soon as possible, for the card to be deactivated to avoid any charges not made by yourself. All charges will be the responsibility of the above name up to the date of the Shire being notified.
How to Use
To use the swipe card, hold the card up to the sensor on the front of the standpipe control box for around 2 seconds. You should see a dark green (not amber/yellow) light indicating that the standpipe has recognized a valid card. Select which outlet to take water from (standpipe overhead pipe, or tank) if there is an outlet selection knob, then press the green button to open the standpipe valve.
How to Apply
Swipe cards can be obtained by filling out the Standpipe Swipe Card Authority form and attending the Shires Administration to pick up the card.
If you are unable to come into the Shire's Administration Office, the form can be emailed to you to complete and return; payment of the bond can be made by card over the phone. Your swipe card will then be mailed to you. Please note that we can't guarantee that the swipe card will reach you by mail, and in the event the swipe card is used by another person, you will be liable for standpipe usage charges.
Invoicing
Invoicing is done monthly, with your usage fees sent out according to your contact details supplied on the initial standpipe card application form. The cost of water from the standpipe will be charged at the designated price for each location as per the most current water account.
Should you need further clarification or wish to comment then please contact the shire.