Meter Reading

Water meters are installed on properties to record how much water is being used.  Under the Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008, TasWater is required to charge customers based on two-part pricing, that is, a fixed service charge and a water usage charge. Water meters are the property of TasWater, and we are responsible for maintaining the meter.

Water usage for your property is recorded quarterly by TasWater. Each quarter, we will alternate between a true read and an estimated read.  A true read will be undertaken by an authorised TasWater representative, who will read the meters between the hours of 7.00am and 7.00pm Monday to Friday. 

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  1. Reading Your Water Meter

Reading Your Water Meter

To arrange for a special water meter reading please call TasWater on 13 6992.  The current cost for a special water meter reading can be found under fees and charges. 

Lift the flap on the top of your meter to reveal the current reading. Depending upon the type of meter, the colours may be different.  

In most meters, the numbers with the white background represent kilolitres. The numbers on the red background show your water usage in litres - these will be the last (3) numbers on the dial. These are for test purposes, including testing for water leaks and meter accuracies. 

A kilolitre is equal to one thousand litres - an average household will use approximately 200 kilolitres per year. TasWater calculates your water usage bill in kilolitres only, so you will not be billed for the last (3) number on the meter until they turn from 999, over to 000 - indicating another kilolitre has been used.   

If your property is due for a physical meter read, and we are unable to safely access your meter, we will take an estimated read. See the 'Estimated Meter Reads' FAQ. 

It is the property owner/occupier's responsibility to ensure safe and easy access is available for TasWater representatives to read and maintain meters on your property.  Failure to do so may result in the owners being charged for any costs associated with clearing the area. 

In the event that a water meter cannot be accessed for any reason, an application can be made to TasWater for the relocation of the water meter or the installation of a remote reading device. Relocation of meters requires lodgement of an application to TasWater and payment of associated fees. 

The meter is usually located just within the boundary of the property, where the property's water supply connects to our mains, known as the 'connection point'. 

If you cannot locate your water meter, an application for the location can be made to TasWater – contact us here. 

Authorised TasWater representatives, including our Meter Readers and Operations team for maintenance purposes, and our contractors who are replacing old or redundant meters.

Sometimes our meter reading team is unable to collect a true read when a meter is unsafe to read– usually due to one of the following reasons, where: 

  • There is evidence of an animal on the property
  • The meter is covered i.e. by plants, shrubbery or a motor vehicle 
  • We cannot access a meter i.e. locked gates
  • The digital device portion of the unit is failing to send an electronic signal

When this occurs, we are happy for you to read the meter and provide the reading to us (a ‘customer provided read').  On those occasions we will leave a postcard requesting you read the meter within 2 business days . If this is not provided by you, usage will be estimated. See the 'Estimated Meter Reads FAQ'. 

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  1. Estimated Meter Reads

Estimated Meter Reads

Estimating usage is commonly used by utilities and is not new to TasWater. Estimations are based on the true historical usage of the property and will not disadvantage our customers.  

 

After we take an estimated read, we will issue you a statement that indicates the read is estimated. This will be indicated by a  next to your meter reading. The next read, if safe to do so, will be a true read by a TasWater representative and will balance the previous estimated read to reflect true usage. 

*Please note, no alterations or adjustments will be made to the estimated read on the statement until the next true reading is obtained by a TasWater representative.  

While we endeavour to be as accurate as possible, there may be some discrepancies in an estimated read which will self-correct with the next scheduled true read. If you suspect you may have had a water leak on your property, this can cause an increase in usage and cause a higher than anticipated statement. See 'Blockages, Leaks and Floods'.  

If you have further questions, please contact us here. 

There are 2 reasons why an estimated meter read will occur: 

1. TasWater alternate each quarter between true and estimated reads. An estimated read will be issued every second quarter. 

2. If TasWater needs access to your property to read your meter, but the water meter cannot be accessed safely and a reading cannot be obtained, we will issue a statement based on an estimated water usage from previous usage data if you (the customer) are unable to provide a physical read. See the 'Reading You Water Meter FAQ'. 

Yes – any discrepancies in the estimated read will self-correct at the time of your next true read.  
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Billing information

Under the Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008, TasWater is required to charge customers based on two-part pricing, that is, a fixed service charge and a water usage charge. 

Fixed charge: Fixed water and sewerage charges are the cost of providing the services to a property, including the cost of maintaining and upgrading assets.

Usage charge: Variable water charges are for water supply costs for each kilolitre of water supplied to a property, which is measured by the property’s water meter. This means that your total variable water charge will change, depending on how much water you use.

For more information, visit the Water and sewerage charges page. 

Water usage for your property is recorded quarterly by TasWater. Each quarter, we will alternate between a true read and an estimated read, and issue you with a bill.  A true read will be undertaken by an authorised TasWater representative, who will read the meters between the hours of 7.00am and 7.00pm Monday to Friday. If for some reason the reading is missed or the meter is unable to be read, you will receive an estimated reading. 

If we have over or under-estimated the reading, your statement will be amended accordingly when the next reading occurs. 

This will ensure that your account is adjusted to make certain that you are charged the correct amount.  

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