Some Perth homes will experience a distinct drop in water pressure next year, as the local Water Corporation enacts a plan to save drinking supplies and fix leaks and burst pipes in its ageing network.

While the water authority is still working out the details of its plan, a reduction in water pressure has been one of the first proposals laid out for consideration. Action comes more than three years after the Water Corp first trialled the measure, which affected thousands of homes in Perth’s southern suburbs of Shelley, Rossmoyne and Waterford.

Technically, the trial which ran between 2007 and 2009 was considered a success. The Corporation said it reduced consumption by up to 11 per cent and "significantly" cut leaks and bursts in the mains network. There has been some reticence to roll-out measure city-wide however, with almost half the customers involved in the trial complaining about the adverse effects of lower pressure.

Seemingly, something will need to be done soon with a 2009 report showing about 20 billion litres leaks from Perth’s pipes every year, almost half the production capacity of the nearby Kwinana desalination plant.

Water Corporation chief operating officer Peter Moore says the pressure will be reduced, but the people will be consulted: “We spent most of last year doing investigations as to where it might be most appropriate,” he said, “I would reiterate when we do these programs, we do a lot of work with the community and make sure the pressure, where it's lowered, is to a degree where everyone in the area gets that minimum pressure.”