How to read your meter
Water meters measure the amount of drinking water used over a given period of time. Council currently has meters read three times a year. You are responsible for keeping your meter free from obstruction to let our meter readers get easy access for reading. The Plumbing Code of Australia requires that meters are maintained at 300mm above ground level. If the meter readers cannot read your meter for any reason, our operational staff will be sent out to make repairs or replacements as necessary.
Most houses have their own meter, which is usually located towards the front of the property, near the left or right boundary. In duplexes, flats or strata titled properties, there may be only one meter servicing all of the dwellings or one for each residence.
It is useful to know the location of your water meter because a stop tap, which controls the flow of water, is normally next to the meter. In an emergency, such as a burst water pipe, you can use the stop tap to turn off the water supply to prevent waste and damage.
Your water meter is also a useful tool in helping you to manage your water consumption. If you are not using water in your house, your meter should stop ticking over. In this way you can use your water meter to check for leaks. Record the reading on your water meter and ensure no water is used on the property for a few hours and then check the meter again. Take into consideration if your hot water system is filling, or if dishwashers, washing machines or garden irrigation are in use, or on timers. Any movement of the dials (including both red and black numbers) on your water meter after this time indicates there may be a leak on your property. You should then contact a plumber to have it repaired, as Council is not responsible for the pipes on your property from the meter.
The water meter measures the amount of water each property uses so we can calculate your bill. There are many types of water meters. Meter reading examples are below:
If your meter looks like the one above, read the black and red numbers left to right. The black numbers show how many kilolitres (1,000 litres) have been used. The red numbers show how many litres have been used. Only the kilolitres are represented on your Council water bill.
The current reading on both meters is 1234 kilolitres and 567.8 litres, or 1234.5678 kilolitres.
If your meter looks like the one below, kilolitres are represented by the black digital display, and litres by the dials. The dials are read from right to left. When a pointer rests between two numbers read the lower number.
Is your meter reading correctly?
If you believe that your meter is not reading correctly, you can ask Council to test the meter for you. Meters are guaranteed to read accurately within 5% of the true usage. If you meter is found to be inaccurate, Council will not charge you the cost of the test, and will replace your meter (again at no cost to you). If your meter is found to be reading accurately, you will be charged the cost of the test in accordance with Council’s fees and charges.
This page last updated 16 February, 2012 12:10 PM
