What’s happening?
Rockhampton has been ranked #5 among 73 Australian cities and regions for achieving the best balance in water supply reliability and affordability. This ranking comes from a new national study conducted by All Kind Gas & Plumbing, which evaluated urban water utilities using five core performance indicators.
The study reflects the evolution of water systems from primitive networks in ancient civilisations into today’s sophisticated infrastructure essential for hygiene, safety, and comfort. As plumbing systems have grown more complex, so has the need to assess how reliably and affordably water reaches Australian homes.
According to the Australian Water Association, over 300 water utilities now operate across Australia, offering widely varied water service conditions. In parallel, All Kind Gas & Plumbing also reported a 170% increase in the search term “hot water system” in 2025, an indicator that Australians are increasingly focused on upgrading their household water supply systems.
Why it matters
Reliable and affordable access to water is no longer a luxury; it’s a fundamental urban service. The national analysis led by Cameron Anderson, founder of All Kind Gas & Plumbing, aimed to identify where households are getting the most consistent, cost-effective water services.
“Unreliable plumbing disrupts daily life across Australia, leading to unexpected water damage, followed by high repair costs,” Anderson said.
“For plumbers, pipe bursts and leaks mean a constant demand for emergency services but also long hours and pressure to deliver quick solutions in often deteriorating or outdated systems.”
He added that early detection and basic household habits could go a long way in saving money:
“Regular inspections, avoiding harsh chemical drain cleaners, and installing pressure regulators can help. Spotting issues like discoloured water or low pressure early can prevent major repair costs down the track.”
Local Impact
At the heart of Rockhampton’s strong performance is Fitzroy River Water, the region’s main utility provider. The city stood out in the study for its efficient emergency responses, fewer main breaks, and comparatively low water bills, factors that not only reflect robust infrastructure but also help ease cost-of-living pressures for residents.
Compared to cities of similar size and population, Rockhampton’s water system offers a rare mix of capacity, consistency, and customer affordability.
By the Numbers
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328 kL per property – Rockhampton ranks 5th for average annual residential water supply volume.
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$1,677 annual bill – 29% lower than Emerald ($2,354) and 28% lower than Kempsey ($2,346), offering major cost relief.
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75.5 minutes – Average unplanned water supply interruption, far below Albany’s 258 minutes and Busselton’s 161.3 minutes.
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10.6 sewer main breaks per 100 km – Highlights stable wastewater system management.
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11.6 water main breaks per 100 km – Over three times fewer than Hobart (42.8), indicating infrastructure reliability.
Zoom In
Rockhampton’s placement in the top five was determined through a comprehensive benchmarking process. All Kind Gas & Plumbing analysed national data from the Urban National Performance Report, scoring cities based on five criteria: average residential water volume supplied (kL per property), annual bill, length of unplanned outages, and frequency of both sewer and water main breaks per 100 km.
This places Rockhampton in a select group of cities delivering consistent, affordable water services to their communities, even as national averages show growing strain on ageing infrastructure elsewhere.
Zoom Out
Nationally, the study provides a snapshot of how well or poorly Australia’s water utilities are serving households. The variation between cities highlights not just differences in infrastructure age or funding, but also in the responsiveness of utilities and local governments. Rockhampton’s success shows that regional centres can match, and even outperform, their metropolitan counterparts.
And with a growing national emphasis on home water systems. evidenced by the sharp increase in searches for “hot water systems”—the pressure is on for utilities to modernise and maintain strong service standards.
What to Look For Next
As demand rises and infrastructure ages, continued investment in Rockhampton’s water network will be vital. Fitzroy River Water’s strong record provides a solid base, but preventative maintenance and public awareness remain crucial. Homeowners are encouraged to act early when issues arise, and to continue embracing efficient water use habits.
Rockhampton’s current standing is not just a testament to good pipes, it’s a sign of smart planning, proactive repair culture, and public trust.
Details from Georgy Nikolin
