Danny the detection dog and handler Dennis Gannaway will sniff out underground water leaks in Cook Shire before they become significant issues. Photo: Supplied.
Water waste is never a paw-sitive thing, but a furry friend may be the key to sniffing out savings for the Cook region.
Danny the leak detection dog and his handler will arrive in Cooktown on 18 May to showcase his talent across about 70 kilometres of water networks over five days, before moving on to Lakeland, Laura and Coen.
Using advanced scent detection, Danny can identify treated water escaping from underground pipes — pinpointing leaks that may otherwise go unnoticed for long periods.
Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes said Danny would help council work smarter, reduce waste and minimise long-term costs.
“This is the kind of technology you’d usually see in large urban networks, and we’re now trialling it here in Cook Shire,” Mayor Holmes said.
“In a region like ours, where every litre counts and every dollar matters, finding leaks early can make a significant difference.”
Early detection of leaks within major water infrastructure will help council identify and repair issues before they escalate into larger failures requiring emergency works.
Historically, some underground leaks are only discovered once a pipe bursts, which can result in significant water loss, costly repairs, unexpected service interruptions, and unplanned impacts on the broader community.
Council advises there will be no disruption to water supply during the survey works.
