North East Water

A water meter is used to measure the amount of water that each property uses. It is generally located close to the front of your property. North East Water's usage and wastewater disposal (where applicable) charges are based on a user pays system, which requires the amount of water you use to be measured by a water meter.

It is also useful to know where your water meter is because a stop tap, which controls the flow of water to your house, is normally located next to it. In an emergency, such as a burst pipe, you can use this stop tap to turn off the water supply to your house. North East Water is responsible for maintaining the water meter.

Please contact us or phone 1300 361 622 to report a water meter service fault.

North East Water endeavours to read the water meter at the time of the "next scheduled reading" shown on your account.

The water meter servicing your property must be accessible so we are able to read and service it regularly. If we are unable to read your meter your account will be based on our estimate of your water consumption for the billing period. If you are unable to make your meter accessible to us please contact us or phone 1300 361 633 to make appropriate arrangements.

How To Read Your Water Meter

Reading your water meter is a simple task.

The meter reading here is 462 kilolitres.

A The first four numbers from the left (generally coloured black) show the reading in kilolitres. The numbers on the right (generally coloured red) register hundreds of litres, tens of litres & litres. Red numbers are ignored for billing purposes.

B "Tell tale". Detects small usage & leaks. 20 revolutions per litre. (N.B. Not all meters will have a "Tell Tale").

If you believe your household plumbing may be leaking, follow these steps to determine the extent of the leak:

• Allocate a time when water will not be used, such as when the house is unoccupied while people are at work, or overnight.
• Ensure that all taps within the house and garden (not including the stop-tap) are turned-off, and that all water appliances, including toilets, dishwashers and washing machines, are not used.
• Take a start reading, wait 12 hours, then take a final reading. Don't forget to read all the dials. Subtract the start reading from the final reading to arrive at the number of litres used. Be sure to write your answer in litres and not kilolitres. Note: 1 kilolitre = 1,000 litres.
• Divide by the number of hours to determine the number of litres lost per hour.
• If a leak is detected, arrange for a plumber to locate and repair it.

Water Meter Testing

If you think your meter is reading high, you may request a test.

You must pay the cost of the test, which will be carried out in accordance with Australian Standard 3565.1 (1998). If the meter is found to be over registering, the testing charge will be refunded to you, the water meter will be repaired or replaced, and your account will be corrected.

Meter Tampering

Under the Water Act 1989 and North East Water's Administrative By-law 125 it is an offence for anyone to tamper with a water meter. Only an authorised officer is permitted to remove, repair or replace a water meter.