Check for leaks with a digital water meter
If you suspect you have a leak, how do you find it?
Finding and fixing leaks early saves bucket loads of water. We recommend you regularly check your property for leaks or if you have a digital meter, providing up-to-date contact details to receive leak alerts. Leaks aren’t always easy to see, and a continuous flow of water may not always be a leak.
How to check for leaks with a digital meter
Prep time:
5 min
Testing time:
30 sec – 1 min
Required equipment:
None
Method:
We recommend checking for leaks regularly, as an average of one in ten properties has a leak that owners may not be aware of. If your property is connected to a digital meter, you may be eligible to receive early leak notifications. Ensure your contact details are up to date so you can receive notice of a suspected leak on your property.
- Stop using any water
Turn off all taps and appliances that use water (dishwasher, washing machine, evaporative coolers, hot water units, irrigation systems etc.) except the stop tap next to any toilets.
- Find the water meter
If you live in a house, the meter will be located outside and usually near the front gate or fence. For units and apartments, the meter may be near your front door or in a service cupboard. We recommend contacting your building management or your owner's corporation if you need help locating a unit or apartment meter.
- Check the meter reading
Open the cover of your meter and turn on the screen by putting your finger over the three dots. Change the reading to the kL/h screen by putting your finger over the three dots for three seconds. This will tell you how many kilolitres per hour is flowing through your meter.
How to check for leaks with a mechanical meter
Prep time:
30 mins
Testing time:
2 – 4 hrs
Required equipment:
Toilet paper or food dye, notepad or camera phone
Method:
Most of our customers have a mechanical meter. If you don’t have access to a digital meter yet visit Check for leaks – Mechanical meter
What to do if you’ve been notified of a leak
If you’ve received an early 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.
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.
For more information on payment assistance visit Concessions and Payment Assistance