Water on the Eyre Peninsula
SA Water says its Eyre Peninsula Desalination Project will supplement the Uley South groundwater basin and reduce reliance on the River Murray, supporting supply to around 35,000 customers across the region.
Whether your own supply and sewer belong to SA Water or the council is on your bill. The City of Port Lincoln is on ESCOSA's register as a licensed water retailer, and ESCOSA says anyone whose bills aren't from SA Water is likely on a small-scale network.
Rainwater tanks topped up from the mains
If mains water tops up your tank, SA's plumbing code says it must happen automatically, through an automatic change-over device, an automatic top-up device or similar switching, with no manual intervention. That applies to houses and their extensions. It's a job for a licensed plumber; see rainwater tanks and tank pumps.
Port Lincoln facts
Houses, and a third rented
At the 2021 Census, 81.6% of occupied homes in the City of Port Lincoln council area were separate houses, 11.3% townhouses or semis and 6.1% flats. 33.9% were rented, against 27.6% across SA.
A council-licensed network
The City of Port Lincoln holds a water industry retail licence, so check the bill rather than assuming SA Water.
Getting a job signed off in SA
Check the contractor
Plumbing contractors need a licence and their workers must be registered, both through Consumer and Business Services.
Get the eCOC
Plumbing work on your property needs an electronic certificate of compliance, delivered within 7 days of finishing. Water heater replacement, sanitary plumbing and drainage, and backflow devices are all covered.
Gas has its own certificate
Gas fitting, such as installing a gas hot water unit or a cooktop, needs a separate gas certificate of compliance, due within 30 days of completion.
Hot water discounts and valves
STCs can lower the price of an eligible heat pump (under 425 L) or solar water heater (under 700 L) when you assign them to an agent, and the scheme ends in 2030. REPS is open to every South Australian, and household water heating upgrades are one of its activities.
When a heater is replaced, SA requires a temperature control device only if one was fitted before, unless the new heater is solar. Our solar hot water page has more, and the South Australia page covers the state rules.
What we would do
Before anyone touches the tank or the hot water system, check your last water bill so you know who your retailer is. Ask the plumber whether your tank top-up is automatic, since a manual top-up from the mains doesn't meet SA's code. And file the eCOC from every job with your house papers.