5,000L vs 13,000L Water Delivery: Which Size Do You Need?
The right load depends on how many litres you can take, how your property can be accessed and how urgently you need water. If you are out or nearly out, the 5,000L service is usually the faster normal-period option.
Out of water? 5,000L is usually the faster option.
If you are completely out or very low, the 5,000L service is often the fastest way to get water back into the tank. In normal trading periods it is generally around a 24-business-hour turnaround, compared with around 1–3 business days for the 13,000L truck. The 5,000L truck is also the option for hilly, steep or tight-access properties. Peak-season demand can extend both timeframes significantly. If timing or access is critical, call us on (03) 5944 3310 before ordering.
5,000L or 13,000L water cartage?
The choice is not just about access and litres. The 5,000L service is normally quicker when water is urgently needed, and it also handles hilly, steep and tight properties. The 13,000L truck puts more water in per trip where suitable open access is available.
Faster for urgent water and difficult access
Choose 5,000L if you are out or nearly out and speed matters, or for hilly properties, steep driveways, tight gates and restricted turning room. In normal trading periods this service is generally around a 24-business-hour turnaround, subject to current demand.
- Typical useUrgent top-ups; hilly, steep or tight access
- Truck widthApprox. 2.3m
- Truck lengthApprox. 6.3m
- Truck heightApprox. 2.2m
- Normal-period timingGenerally around 24 business hours
Bulk water for accessible tanks, pools and sites
Choose the larger truck only when the property has suitable width, height, turning room, slope and ground conditions. It is not the option for hilly, steep or tight-access properties.
- Typical useLarge tank fills, pools, rural and site water with suitable access
- Truck widthApprox. 3.2m
- Truck lengthApprox. 7.2m
- Truck heightApprox. 3.9m
- Normal-period timingAverage around 1–3 business days
How long could 5,000L or 13,000L last?
Enter the number of people in your household for a simple planning estimate. The calculator uses 150 litres per person per day as the household-use benchmark.
Planning estimate: 150L per person per day.
This is a planning estimate based on Victoria's Target 150 household water-efficiency benchmark of 150 litres per person per day. Actual household use can vary significantly. Rainfall, garden watering, pools, livestock, firefighting reserves and other non-household uses are not included.
Four situations where the choice becomes clearer.
Out or nearly out
If your tank is empty or close to it, 5,000L is often the fastest normal-period way to get water back on the property. You can always schedule more water later if needed.
Large empty space
If the tank or pool has at least 13,000L of available capacity and the property has suitable open access, the bigger truck places more water in one delivery.
Hilly, steep or tight
For hilly properties, steep driveways and tight-access sites, use the 5,000L service. The larger 13,000L truck is not suitable for these access conditions.
More than one load
If you need more than 13,000L, plan the total litres required and allow for multiple deliveries or a combination of loads, subject to scheduling and access.
Work from the empty space in your tank — not just the tank's total size.
A 20,000L tank does not automatically need a 20,000L refill. What matters on delivery day is the headroom available above the water already there.
A simple way to estimate your order
- Find the total capacity of your tank or storage.
- Estimate how full it is now. Be conservative if the level is hard to judge.
- Calculate the approximate empty capacity.
- Choose a delivery that fits comfortably inside that headroom — while also matching your property access.
For example, if a 10,000L tank looks about half full, there is roughly 5,000L of space available. If a 20,000L tank looks only one-quarter full, there is roughly 15,000L of headroom, but a 13,000L delivery only makes sense if the larger truck can safely access the property.
Hilly, steep or tight access means 5,000L.
The 13,000L water truck is substantially larger and heavier and is only used where the access is suitable. For hilly properties, steep driveways or tight access, choose the 5,000L service.
5,000L truck — Rocky
Our hilly and tighter-access option is approximately 2.3m wide, 6.3m long and 2.2m high. This is the truck used where steep, hilly or tighter property access rules out the larger bulk water truck.
13,000L specialist water truck
The larger truck is approximately 3.2m wide, 7.2m long and 3.9m high. It requires suitable open access, turning space, slope and ground conditions. It is not used for hilly, steep or tight-access properties.
What if one load is not enough?
You can plan around a larger total requirement, but the number and size of loads still need to match the property access.
More than 13,000L
A larger empty tank or pool may need more than one scheduled load. On hilly, steep or tight-access properties, that can mean multiple 5,000L deliveries rather than using the larger truck.
More than one tank
Our standard water delivery pricing is for a single tank or pool fill. Moving the truck, hoses or connections between additional tanks takes extra time, so an Additional Tank Fill fee can apply.
Difficult fill points
If the normal access or hose setup is unusually difficult, additional time may be required. Give clear instructions before delivery so we can plan the job correctly.
Which size suits tanks, pools and worksite water?
Start with urgency and property access, then choose the load that best matches the available storage.
Household rainwater tank
If the household is out or nearly out, 5,000L is usually the faster normal-period option. It is also the required choice for hilly, steep or tight-access homes.
Pool or spa
For larger pool fills, 13,000L can reduce the number of trips where access is suitable. Hilly or difficult-access properties require the 5,000L truck.
Rural property
Rural does not automatically mean large-truck access. Steep, hilly or narrow rural properties should use 5,000L; flatter open-access properties may suit 13,000L.
Building or worksite
Bulk requirements can favour the larger truck, but only where the site has safe open vehicle access and a practical discharge point.
Choose the size, then book the delivery.
If you are out or nearly out and speed matters, 5,000L is normally the quicker place to start. It is also the option for hilly, steep or tight access. For suitable open access and larger fills, compare the volume you need with the 13,000L service.
5,000L Water Cartage
Usually the faster normal-period option when water is urgently needed, and the option for hilly, steep or tight-access properties.
View 5,000L →13,000L Water Cartage
More water per trip for larger tanks, pools and sites where the larger truck can safely access.
View 13,000L →Water Cartage Collection
Compare current water-delivery products and related charges in one place.
View Water Cartage →How Water Delivery Works
Ordering, access notes, delivery day and common questions explained step by step.
Read the Guide →Frequently asked questions.
Is 5,000L or 13,000L better value?
The best choice depends on how much water you can actually take, how urgently you need it and whether the larger truck can safely access the property. If you are out or nearly out, the shorter normal-period lead time can make 5,000L the more practical first delivery.
How long does water delivery take?
In normal trading periods, our 5,000L service is generally around a 24-business-hour turnaround and the 13,000L service averages around 1–3 business days. If you are completely out, that often makes 5,000L the faster option. These are normal-period guides only. During peak water-cartage season, demand can increase sharply and lead times can extend significantly beyond those timeframes.
Can the 13,000L water truck come to a hilly or steep property?
No — hilly properties, steep driveways and tight-access sites should use the 5,000L service. The 13,000L truck is for suitable open-access properties with enough width, height, turning room, slope and ground conditions.
Can I order more than 13,000L?
Yes, larger requirements can be planned using multiple scheduled loads, subject to current availability and access. On hilly, steep or tight properties, this may mean multiple 5,000L deliveries.
Can one delivery fill several tanks?
It can be possible, but standard delivery pricing is based on a single tank or pool fill. Moving between tanks or changing hose connections takes extra time, so add the appropriate Additional Tank Fill option or contact us if the setup is unusual.
Do you deliver drinking water?
Yes. Our current water-cartage services are used for household drinking-water supply as well as pools, rural properties and sites. The cleanliness and condition of your own tank, pipework and filtration system also affect water quality after delivery.
What if I do not know how much water is left in my tank?
Use a tank gauge or sight tube if you have one, or make a conservative estimate of the empty percentage. If the available headroom is close to the size of the load, choose the smaller option or call us before booking rather than risk an overflow.
Where do you deliver water?
Our regular water-cartage network covers Upper Beaconsfield and many nearby Hills, Cardinia, Casey and eastern Dandenong Ranges communities. Availability, truck size and delivery fees depend on the address and access. See our Bulk Water Truck Delivery page or enter your address through the current product options.
Need water urgently? Start with 5,000L.
If you are out or nearly out, the 5,000L service is normally the quicker option. It is also the required choice for hilly, steep or tight properties. The 13,000L service suits larger fills with suitable open access. Peak demand can extend both delivery guides.