Ice pigging helps keep our water network clean, efficient and reliable, using less water and causing less disruption than traditional pipe-cleaning methods.
If you notice short-term changes to water pressure or colour in parts of the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, it may be due to ice pigging.
Ice pigging is a modern method used to clean drinking water pipes while keeping water flowing to homes and businesses. It is an important part of maintaining a reliable water supply and ensuring high-quality drinking water for residents across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.
What is ice pigging?
Ice pigging uses a thick slurry of ice and water that is gently pushed through water pipes. As the ice moves along, it scours the inside of the pipe, removing built-up sediment and biofilm that can affect water quality and flow.
Because the ice is semi-solid, it cleans more effectively than flushing with water alone, while still being safe for pipes and infrastructure.
(SUEZ, 2016)
Why is it being used locally:
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council uses ice pigging as part of ongoing maintenance of the water supply network to:
- Improve water quality
- Reduce discolouration complaints
- Maintain pipe capacity and pressure
- Use significantly less water than traditional flushing methods
What residents might notice:
During ice pigging works, some residents may experience:
- Temporary changes to water pressure
- Short periods of discoloured water
- Brief interruptions while equipment is connected
- Notification from Council ahead of the scheduled maintence
These impacts are usually short-lived. If discoloured water occurs, running a cold tap for a few minutes typically clears it. For updates on water works in your area, or tips on managing temporary water changes, visit Council’s website or follow local service notifications.
A cleaner network, with less waste
Unlike conventional pipe cleaning, ice pigging captures and removes debris in a controlled way, reducing the amount of sediment released into the system and minimising water loss.
It’s one of the ways Council is investing in smarter, more sustainable infrastructure to support a growing community, while protecting water quality for everyone who relies on it every day.
Did you know?
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Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. (2026). Dirty or discoloured water. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Residents/Water/Dirty-or-Discoloured-Water
SUEZ. (2016). Ice pigging ice slurry used for pipe cleaning [Photograph]. SUEZ Australia & New Zealand. https://www.suez.com/en/australia-new-zealand/ice-pigging
SUEZ. (2016, January 25). Ice pigging. SUEZ Australia & New Zealand. https://www.suez.com/en/australia-new-zealand/ice-pigging
UK Water Industry Research. (2012). Ice pigging: A new technique for cleaning water mains.
https://www.ukwir.org
Water Research Foundation. (2013). Ice pigging for distribution system cleaning (Project No. 4285).
https://www.waterrf.org
