Albany facts that change a plumbing job
Hardness above the guideline
Water Corporation's 2024-25 data for Albany, from 16 samples, shows total hardness of 240 to 270 mg/L, averaging 255. It says the high reading comes from the source itself, and the national guidelines treat 200 mg/L as the point where hardness counts as high.
A borefield supply
Albany, Mount Barker and Kendenup are on the Lower Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme, which draws mainly on the Albany borefield. Water Corporation says country customers on groundwater are more likely to have hard water.
LPG, not natural gas
ATCO's Albany gas network carries liquefied petroleum gas, with 7500 connections. Gas appliances are set up for one gas type, so tell the gas fitter it's LPG.
Rain from May to August
The Bureau's Albany station averages 924.0 mm a year over 144 years, and July is wettest at 142.0 mm. At 2°C or colder it averages just 0.1 days a year.
Hot water in hard water
Water Corporation's advice for hard water areas is to release the hot water system's pressure valves for a few seconds each month to stop scale building up. Ask a hot water specialist to show you how, and to check the valves at each service.
Replacing a water heater in WA is major work, so expect a certificate of compliance within five working days. A temperature control device is required when a heater is replaced or relocated, except for a basin. See hot water and tempering valves.
Water Corporation's sewer
In 2025 Water Corporation replaced almost four kilometres of wastewater main along Ulster and Lower King roads, carrying household wastewater to the Albany Water Resource Recovery Facility. Its relining crews are working in Mount Clarence, Mount Melville, Centennial Park, Mira Mar, Mount Elphinstone, Yakamia, Spencer Park, Orana, Warrenup and McKail from early September 2026 to late June 2027, reconnecting property connections as they go.
Its cost rule: owners pay to clear a blockage in their property connection up to the junction with the main, and if the blockage is in the main, Water Corporation pays the plumber a standard fee for locating it. More in who owns the sewer pipe.
Stormwater needs a City permit
The City of Albany manages local drainage. A residential building application needs a stormwater plan, and lots with impervious soils need stormwater detention. Connecting to the City's drains takes a permit, an inspection before backfilling, and the permit lasts three months.
Checking a WA plumber
Search any plumber or gas fitter on the WA Online Licence Search from Building and Energy, and look for the licence number on the quote. Start with blocked drains, stormwater, LPG conversion or an emergency plumber; WA rules are on our Western Australia page.
What we would do
In Albany, look after the hot water system with scale in mind, because the water sits above the hardness guideline: open the relief valve briefly each month and have the system serviced. When buying a gas appliance, confirm it's set up for LPG before it's delivered. If your street is in the relining area and a drain plays up afterwards, mention the works when you book a drain specialist.