In a regional first, the council is enlisting two highly trained spaniels, Bubbles and Splash from NTS Group, to detect water leaks, demonstrating that they haven’t gone barking mad but are instead leveraging innovative canine skills.
Over the next two weeks, skilled spaniels Bubbles and Splash, along with their handlers, will cover about 63 kilometres of water mains in City Centre, South Mackay, and East Mackay to detect leaks.
These highly trained dogs are quick and accurate, guiding repair crews directly to the source.
Splash specialises in potable water leaks, while Bubbles detects wastewater leaks.
Mayor Greg Williamson expressed excitement for using these canines, citing cost savings and reduced disruption since leaks can be found without shutting down networks or digging up roads.
The dogs’ ability to sniff out chlorine in potable water helps them detect leaks even in heavy rain or difficult terrain like bushland.
Once Bubbles and Splash identify a leak, field crews can quickly address it.
If you see them in Mackay, know they’re not just playing around—they’re hard at work ensuring the city’s water system runs smoothly.
News source and image from: Mackay Regional Council website
