Your water meter

Fences add to your property's value, security and privacy, but they can make access to water meters difficult. Our staff will need to visit your property to read the water meter every three months. We may also need to carry out repairs on your meter. Please consider these issues when installing your new fence. If you have any concerns about access, give us a call.

It's important that we have easy access to your water meter. If we can't take a reading, we may have to issue you with an estimated account. Please keep the area around your water meter clear. Don't place obstructions such as caravans, cars, trailers, rubbish bins, cartons and other material around the meter. Be careful when backing your car, caravan or trailer. Accidental collisions can break your meter and flood your front yard! You may be asked to pay for any emergency repairs if this happens.

Most people love dogs, but they can be a bit protective of their yards. We are concerned for the safety of our meter readers, so if your dog is a little over-protective, we won't be able to come into your yard and read your meter. Also, we may not be able to carry out emergency repairs to your meter. If your dog is not normally restrained during the day, please call us to arrange safe access.

Healthy gardens are attractive and rewarding, but please spare a thought for our meter readers when selecting plants. Spikey plants, such as rose bushes or cactuses, can make life pretty painful when they're trying to read a meter. Overgrown bushes, or shrubs that attract bees, can also be a problem. Please keep the area around your meter clear and accessible.

Customers must allow safe access to the metering point and other equipment which remains the property of MidCoast Council. If access is restricted, estimated accounts will be issued. These accounts may not accurately reflect your water usage. Property owners are responsible for any issues that occur between the water meter and the home. If you think you have a leak or another problem, consider contacting a plumber to investigate for you.

Your water meter is read four times a year by a member of our dedicated meter reading team.

However, many of our customers like to read their own meter on a regular basis to keep track of the amount of water they're using, or to monitor the effects of water saving devices.

We encourage customers to monitor their consumption as it helps to identify which activities use the most water and where savings can be made. To learn how to read your water meter, watch this video or see the details below.

MidCoast Council levies a charge for each kilolitre of water that you use. 1 kilolitre = 1000 litres.

The white numbers on your water meter represent kilolitres. (1 kilolitre = 1000 litres). The above example reads 1,234 kilolitres.
The red numbers read litres. The above example reads 567.8 litres.

Other typical 20mm, 25mm, 32mm and 40mm meters

The white numbers read kilolitres (1 kilolitre = 1000 litres). The above example reads 1,234 kilolitres.

The red numbers read litres. The above example reads 560 litres.

Typical 50mm and 80mm meter

The white numbers read kilolitres (1 kilolitre = 1000 litres). The above example reads 12,345 kilolitres.

The red numbers read litres. The above example reads 600 litres.

Customers regularly have leaks in excess of 2,000 litres per day with no evidence of water on the surface.

Pipes crack underground, often under driveways and walls, and the water simply flows underground and doesn't surface.

It's important for customers to regularly check their water meter for possible leaks. 

Concealed leaks that are hidden in walls or underground can go undetected for long periods of time and waste thousands of litres a day. Concealed leaks on private property are the property owner's responsibility, so we recommend you read your water meter and check for concealed leaks regularly by using the simple steps listed below. 

Follow these guidelines to catch leaks early:

1. Check your property for visible water leaks from taps, toilets, showers and irrigation systems.
2. Turn off all taps, water appliances and irrigation at your property.
3. Read the water meter and record the reading. Leave the water meter tap on.
4. Wait at least one hour before reading your water meter again – remember not to use any water, even to flush the toilet.
5. If the reading has changed there could be a water leak. Contact a licensed plumber to find and repair the leak. Many leaks occur underground and can be difficult to find.

Toilet cistern leaks are common and can be easily checked by following these steps:

1. Pour food colouring into the toilet cistern.
2. If colour appears in the toilet bowl before flushing, you have a leak.
3. Flush as soon as the test has been completed as food colouring may stain the cistern.
4. We recommend that you regularly check for leaks using these simple steps.