Your water meter: the rules, and how to use it to find a leak
Most people never think about their water meter until the bill jumps or a pipe bursts. The meter belongs to Sydney Water, but there are rules about keeping it clear, protecting it and who can work on it, and it's also the quickest way to check for a hidden leak. This guide covers what homeowners need to know. It's written by the local plumbers who work on water services every week across Matraville, Maroubra, Malabar, Botany and the southern Eastern Suburbs.
Who owns what
Sydney Water
Owns the water meter and looks after it, reads it, and maintains their own pipes up to where they connect to yours. Faulty or worn-out meters are replaced free.
You, the owner
Look after your private water pipes and fittings from the point of connection into the house, keep the meter accessible and protect it from damage.
If a leak is close to the meter, it isn't always obvious whose pipe it is. Sydney Water may repair the pipe that links your property to their system if the problem is within about a metre of your boundary. Leaks in your private pipes need a licensed plumber. If we find the leak is on Sydney Water's side, we'll tell you so you can report it.
The rules homeowners need to know
- Keep it clear: leave about 30 cm of clear space around the meter. No plants, rubbish, dirt or concrete over it.
- Don't concrete around it: new paths and driveways must leave the meter and its pipes free so it can be read and replaced.
- Keep it accessible: if the meter is behind a locked gate or in a cage, Sydney Water needs to be able to get to it. Locked meter cages need a utility lock Sydney Water can open.
- Don't tamper with it: don't remove, bypass or disconnect the meter. Using unmetered water can be treated as water theft, and penalties apply.
- Licensed plumbers only: only a licensed plumber or Sydney Water's contractors can work on the meter connection, and a meter can't be disconnected just for renovations.
- Protect it: if your meter is damaged, Sydney Water replaces it but may charge you for it.
- Readings: Sydney Water reads most meters four times a year. If they can't get in, they may leave a card for you to send in your own reading.
Use your meter to check for a leak
- Turn off every tap and water-using appliance in the house and garden.
- Write down or photograph the meter reading, including the red numbers.
- Don't use any water for an hour, then read the meter again.
- If the numbers have moved, water is escaping somewhere. See our hidden water leak guide for what to do next.
Know where your main stop tap is
The main isolation valve is usually right next to the meter. If a pipe bursts, turning it off stops the water to the whole house. Check it turns freely. Old valves often seize after years of not being used, and the time to find out is before a burst, not during one.
Water meters in southern Eastern Suburbs homes
In older homes in Matraville, Maroubra, Malabar and Botany, the pipes either side of the meter are often old galvanised iron, which rusts and leaks. Sydney Water needs suitable copper pipes either side of the meter before they can exchange it, so a meter swap sometimes turns up old pipework that needs replacing first. Many local homes also have high mains pressure. A pressure limiting valve is fitted just after the meter. See our water pressure guide.
Think your meter is wrong?
Do the leak test first. Most high bills are caused by a leak, often a running toilet or a hidden pipe. If there's no leak, you can ask Sydney Water to test the meter. There's a fee, which is refunded if the meter is found to be inaccurate.
Why locals call us
- Based in Matraville, close to every southern Eastern Suburbs home
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- We find leaks before we open up walls or dig
- A fixed price before any work starts
- Licensed plumbers (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
Who is responsible for my water meter?
Sydney Water owns and maintains the meter. You need to keep it clear, accessible and protected from damage.
Who fixes a leak at the water meter?
It depends where the leak is. Sydney Water looks after their pipes and the meter, and you look after your private pipes. A plumber can find exactly where the leak is.
Can I move my water meter?
Not yourself. Only a licensed plumber or Sydney Water's contractors can work on the meter connection, and it has to meet Sydney Water's requirements. Talk to us before you plan new paving or a driveway around it.
How do I check for a water leak with my meter?
Turn off all water, note the reading, wait an hour without using any water, then check again. If it has moved, you have a leak.
High water bill or a leak near the meter? See our leak detection and burst pipe services, or your local page: Matraville, Maroubra, Malabar, Pagewood, Eastgardens, Botany and Little Bay. More plumbing guides.