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Vandals damage East Gippsland Water standpipes using inappropriate tokens to try and steal bulk water

Vandalism damages standpipes, causing costly repairs and inconvenience to those in need of water. East Gippsland Water urges the public to use only the required tokens to operate standpipes.

By news@gippsland - 28th April 2023 - Back to News

A number of East Gippsland Water standpipes have broken down and had to be removed from service temporarily for expensive repairs in recent months as a result of vandalism. The standpipes require specific tokens, purchased from East Gippsland Water, to operate.

Inappropriate token usage damages standpipes, requiring repairs and rendering them unusable

Minority's irresponsible actions

Unfortunately, there have been an increasing number of instances where a small minority of members of the public have attempted to use coins instead, and even a drilled token with string attached, to purchase standpipe water. This has blocked and broken standpipe mechanisms, rendering the standpipes out of action until a repair can be carried out.

East Gippsland Water's Executive Manager Customers, Community and Communications, David Radford, said, "The irresponsible action of a small minority has been putting standpipes out of action, inconveniencing those who really need water and have to travel extended distances to find an alternative standpipe that works. It is also hitting our customers, who are ultimately covering the costs of repairs."

"This action is also regarded as an act of water theft, a serious offence under the Water Act and we ask our communities to report any suspicious activity around our standpipes to Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. We strongly urge anyone wanting to use a standpipe to do the right thing and purchase standpipe tokens from our Bairnsdale office at 133 Macleod Street, during office hours. Tokens cost $4.48 each and one token provides 1,000 litres of water," Mr Radford said.