Commercial water filling stations

** Woodburn-Evans Head Road water filling station **

Rous County Council will be undertaking water supply infrastructure works at its Woodburn Groundwater Treatment Plant site, commencing late August 2024 and continuing to February 2025.

The water filling station at 225 Woodburn-Evans Head Road, Woodburn, will remain open, but occasional access restrictions and minor delays may occur. We recommend staying informed about any scheduled interruptions by checking our public notices if you plan to use this water filling station during this time.

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. Water may only be extracted from a designated water filling station for the intended use(s) marked on the permit.
2. A risk assessment must be undertaken by the driver of the nominated water tanker prior to filling from a designated water filling station. Filling is to be undertaken in a manner that minimises obstructions of any footpaths and takes all proper safety precautions including the positioning of safety cones to prevent the risk of tripping hazards or injury to pedestrians.
3. The use of portable standpipes in Rous owned hydrants is PROHIBITED (Fire Brigades exempt) and will result in the IMMEDIATE CANCELLATION of the permit and possible prosecution.
4. One designated water filling station access key per permit is issued free of charge. Additional and replacement access keys are charged as per Rous’ Fees and Charges (2024/25 prices subject to adoption at the June 2024 Council meeting).
5. The permit fee for bulk water carriers and the price per kilolitre of water are available in Rous’ Fees and Charges and are subject to change on 1 July each year.
6. Designated water filling stations may have security cameras present and recording.
7. Should you become aware of vandalism or suspected vandalism of designated water filling stations, you will immediately notify Rous.
8. To minimise the interruption to bulk water carriers, all damage or unauthorised use at the designated water filling stations must be immediately reported to Rous on 02 6623 3800.
9. The permit is valid until 30 June.
10. Avdata customers must pay in advance for usage, any unused credit will be carried forward if the permit is renewed.
11. If a permit is not renewed, and the credit balance is greater than $50.00, the amount above $50.00 will be refunded upon application.
12. You are liable for all costs associated with water extracted using their designated water filling station access key.
13. You are wholly responsible for the security and use of the water filling station access key issued (including the loss, damage or unauthorised use of the access key) and must report lost or stolen access keys to Rous immediately on 02 6623 3800 so that access can be disabled.
14. You have read and understood the NSW Health – NSW Guidelines for Water Carters (recognising carting drinking water poses extra responsibilities) and will abide by the Guidelines acknowledging that from time to time your data may be supplied to NSW Health upon request and that you will be added to Rous’ register of water carriers in accordance with the Guidelines.
    • A water carter carrying potable water for human consumption is classified in the Food Act 2003 as a ‘food business’ and that they must notify the local council of the business and food activity details and agree to have the water tank inspected and approved by the local council, and
    • De-identified water filling station usage data may be forwarded to other government agencies.
15. Legacy account holders are responsible for any purchases made on their account. Failure to settle their account within the designated timeframe may lead to denial of access to the designated water filling stations.
16. The permit may be withdrawn or suspended by Rous at any time without notice.
17. Designated water filling stations may be closed by Rous at any time without notice.