Commercial water filling stations

Rous County Council has a network of 12 designated bulk water filling stations across the supply area of Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Lismore City and Richmond Valley councils.  These 12 stations are designated for commercial bulk water carters.

Water carters are required to complete a Permit to draw water from designated water filling stations. The water filling stations operate under a system supplied by Avdata Australia.

Please click here to view the water carter (potable drinking water) listing.

General information

Designated water filling stations

Bulk water carters supplying potable water

Water carters supplying potable drinking water will be issued with an Avdata Water Management System prepaid electronic key (refer to Avdata webpage portal below).

The NSW Health Guidelines for Water Carters specifies the obligations water carters must comply with.

Water carters supplying potable water are required by NSW Health to submit a Quality Assurance Program (QAP) to the Local Public Health Unit. Refer to the completed QAP example and the NSW Guidelines for Water Carters to prepare your own QAP.

Water carters supplying potable water to a food business must notify their local council. An annual water tank inspection certificate must be supplied to Rous County Council (contact your local council).

Water carters supplying non-potable water

Water carters supplying non-potable drinking water will be issued with an Avdata Water Management System prepaid key (refer to Avdata webpage portal below).

Avdata webpage portal

The Avdata Water Management System operates through a self-service website portal. The Avdata customer portal allows users to:

• purchase credit for prepaid key
• view transactions
• view available credit
• contact Avdata.

To establish an Avdata prepaid electronic key account, please visit the Avdata online user registration page and follow the instructions listed here.

Alternatively, you may contact Avdata:

• (02) 6262 8111
• mail@avdata.com.au

Avdata access electronic key

Avdata access key charges

You will be issued with one Avdata access key per permit. Additional Avdata access keys can be purchased for a fee of $80.00.

Lost or stolen Avdata access key

A replacement fee of $80.00 will be charged for damaged, lost, or stolen Avdata access keys. Water carters must report lost or stolen Avdata access keys to Rous County Council immediately on (02) 6623 3800 as the key will need to be disabled.

All costs associated with water purchased via a lost or stolen Avdata access key will be the responsibility of the Avdata access key holder up until the time of notice to Rous County Council of the lost or stolen Avdata access key.

Portable standpipes

Portable standpipes can no longer be used in the Rous County Council region of Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Lismore City and Richmond Valley councils.  NSW Fire Brigade and local councils are exempt from this requirement.

Pedestrian safety

Water carters are required to complete a risk assessment prior to filling from designated water filling stations. Filling is to be undertaken in a manner to minimise obstruction of the footpath and take all safety precautions, including the positioning of safety cones to prevent the risk of trip hazards or injury to pedestrians.

Vandalism and cabinet security

To minimise the interruption to bulk water carters, it is important that all damage as a result of vandalism or unauthorised use at the designated water filling stations is immediately reported to Rous County Council on (02) 6623 3800.

Rous County Council may have security cameras present and recording at each designated water filling station.

General enquiries / faults

Council’s Administration Office is open between 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Thursday (excluding public holidays).

For information in relation to the application process or designated water filling station system, please contact:

• Rous County Council's Operations Enquiry Group
  (02) 6623 3800

To report a problem with a designated water filling station, please contact:

• Rous County Council's Operations Enquiry Group
  (02) 6623 3800 (business hours)
  (02) 6626 6955 (after hours)

Customer agreement

To use Rous County Council’s filling stations, it is necessary for customers to enter into an agreement with Rous County Council.

In completing and signing the 'Permit to draw water from designated water filling stations', the water carter agrees to the following terms and conditions:

1. To take water only from designated water filling stations for the intended use marked on the permit.
2. That the use of portable standpipes in hydrants (fire brigades and councils exempt) is prohibited and will result in the immediate cancellation of the permit and possible prosecution.
3. I am responsible for the Avdata access key issued to me (including the loss or damage of the key).
4. For legacy account holders, I am liable for purchases issued to my account and that failure to pay my account within the specified period may result in access to the designated water filling stations being denied.
5. I have read the NSW Health Guidelines for Water Carters and recognise carting drinking water poses extra responsibilities. I shall abide by those guidelines.
6. I agree to have the water tank inspected and approved by an appropriate authority.
7. I understand that a water carter carrying potable water for human consumption is classified in the Food Act 2003 as a ‘food business’ and I must notify the NSW Food Authority of the business activity details.
8. Designated water filling stations may be monitored using surveillance cameras.
9. That on becoming aware of vandalism or suspected vandalism of designated water filling stations, I will immediately notify Rous County Council.
10. That these 'Terms and conditions of permit and the general information' provided may be varied subject to thirty (30) days written notice being provided to me.
11. The permit may be withdrawn or suspended by Rous County Council at any time without notice.
12. Designated water filling stations may be closed by Rous County Council at any time without notice.
13. The permit fee charge for water carters is as per Council's fees and charges.