Utility Services - Water
The Plumbing team (Water Services) operates under Utility Services and plays a vital role in maintaining and optimising the region's water supply and wastewater networks. The team ensures that Cairns residents and businesses have access to clean, reliable water and that wastewater services are efficiently managed to protect the local environment.
Water Services is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of the water reticulation system, which includes water mains, water meters, and rural water treatment plants. The team is divided into several sub-teams, including Planned Works, Reactive Works, and Demand Management, each focused on different aspects of water service management:
- Planned Works: Managing upgrades and essential maintenance projects, including replacements of old water mains and meters,
- Reactive Works: Responding promptly to issues such as water main breaks, meter faults, and other urgent water service problems.
- Demand Management: Overseeing rural water treatment plants and monitoring of system performance to identify areas for improvement, such as supporting programs like Smart Water Metering to optimise water usage across the region.
Placement in the Water Services team offers valuable hands-on experience for participants interested in water operations. Participants will gain:
- Practical involvement in routine maintenance and urgent repairs of water systems.
- Exposure to innovative technologies, such as smart water metering, and their role in resource management.
- A comprehensive understanding of water services, covering infrastructure development, crisis response, and sustainability.

Last Updated: 1 April 2025
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