Locating and reading your meter

Firstly locate you meter box, this should be a blue plastic lid close to the property boundary with the road. Once located remove the blue lid with a suitable tool to uncover your water meter.

Your meter will be a brass fitting with a grey plastic flap that covers the numbers. The black numbers with a white background represents cubic meters (m3, 1000 litres or kiloliters), this is what you are invoiced on. The white numbers on the red background represent less than a cubic meter.

In the picture below the reading is 35 m3.

Ascertaining if you have a water leak

Has there been a change to the water use or in the number of occupants lately?

If this is not the case, it may be that you have a leak.

 Please find below a guide from Watercare to ascertain if you have a leak or not.

A simple test will help confirm if you have a leak:

  • Pick a time when no water will be used for at least four hours – overnight is a good time.

  • Read your water meter then read it again after the period of not using any water. The meter is usually located on your property boundary beside your driveway in a box with a removable blue plastic lid. Make sure you don’t use any water during the test. DO NOT turn off the tap on the meter during the test - you need to be able to see if the meter dial still moves while you are not using water, as this helps indicate a leak. For example, if you do an overnight test, you would read your meter at night before bed, then again the first thing in the morning. 

  • If the meter numbers are higher, this shows that water is being used and it is likely you have a leak.

  • Read all the numbers on the dial (black and red squares). 

  • The example below shows that about 25 litres of water were used during the night. This indicates a leak.  

How to check for obvious leaks

  • Look for dripping taps.

  • Look behind your dishwasher and washing machine for any signs of water.

  • Check your toilet cisterns. Put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern. If colour ends up in the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak.

  • See if the hot water cylinder expansion relief valve is letting water drip into the gully trap.

  • In dry weather, look for damp patches in the garden, lawn or driveway.

  • Listen for running water inside your home when no taps, hoses or showers are turned on.

What if I can’t find any leaks?

If your meter dial is moving and no water has been used, you may need to call a registered plumber to check further.






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