Check for leaks with a digital water meter

We know leak notifications can be stressful

Receiving a potential leak alert doesn't always mean there is a leak.

Sometimes continuous water use can be casued by:

  • pool top-ups
  • appliances that refill automatically
  • irrigation systems
  • evaporative coolers

We're here to help you check whether water is still flowing when it shouldn't be. If you’re unsure, it usually doesn’t hurt to check. Most leak checks take less than five minutes and can help save bucket loads of water if there is a leak.

Step 1. Check your taps

Check if any of the following are using water:
  • taps (indoor and outdoor)
    • kitchen
    • bathrooms
    • showers & baths
    • ensuite & toilets
    • laundry sink
  • washing machine
  • dishwasher
  • irrigation systems
  • hoses and water features
  • pool top-up
  • evaporative coolers

If everything is turned off, proceed to the next step.

Step 2. Find your meter

If you live in a house it is usually near the front boundary of your property.

If you live in a unit or apartment it could be:

  • near the building entry
  • near your front door
  • in a service cupboard

Step 3. Is water still flowing?

Look for the flow rate reading. Depending on which meter is installed on your property flow rate may show as:

  • m3/h
  • L/h
  • kL/h

If the reading is more than 0.000/h you might have a leak.

Landis+Gyr W350

Slow tap the bottom-right sensor to change the display to the flow reading. The flow rate will be displayed in m3/h in the bottom right of the display. This example shows a flowrate of 11 litres per hour.

Sagemcom Siconia

Slow tap the bottom sensor to change the display to the flow reading. The flow rate will be displayed in l/h in the top right of the display. This example shows a flowrate of 11 litres per hour.

HZ SCL-61

Slow tap the bottom sensor to change the display to
the flow reading. The flow rate will be displayed in
kL/h in the bottom right of the display.
This example shows a flowrate of 11 litres per hour.

What to do if you’ve been notified of a leak

If you’ve received a potential leak notification it is because your meter is registering continuous flow that could indicate the presence of a leak on your side of the meter.

If a leak is found on the customer’s side of the meter, it is the property owner’s responsibility to repair the leak.

Property owner's responsibility

The property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing all pipes from the water meter to the customer's house and within the bounds of the property, including garden taps.

We understand that discovering your have a leak can be stressful, so if you need help on what to do next call us on 1300 656 007.

Barwon Water's responsibility

Barwon Water is responsible for the water meter and the pipes leading away from the property. Any change to these pipes including new connections, disconnections and alterations must be authorised through Property connections.

For meters in unit blocks or apartments, Barwon Water is only responsible for the physical meter and does not maintain the pipes or stop taps within the complex.

Unexplained high usage guidelines

Barwon Water is a contributing member to the Guideline for Unexplained High Usage and Undetected Leak Enquiries (PDF 2.1 MB).

The guideline provides an industry standard for resolving enquiries from customers who receive an unexpectedly large water bill due to a leak at their property or due to unexplained high usage.

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