Water Metering
A water meter is a device installed on a water connection or pipe to measure the quantity of water flowing through.
On all of Council's water supplies, bulk meters constantly record the amount of water abstracted (taken from the water sources). The information gathered from these meters:
- Helps us to monitor our supplies
- Helps us to determine whether there are any leaks in the pipework
- Is used to check water pump performance and power efficiency
- Is used to confirm that we are not exceeding the maximum water abstraction levels set by the regional councils.
Council's metering policy
Council's policy is to meter all extraordinary (non-domestic) and extra-territorial water connections in the urban, Central Eastern and Ngongotaha supplies.
All water connections to the rural supplies are metered.
Meters are calibrated to measure within specific limits of accuracy but this accuracy diminishes over time. Council has adopted a policy of replacing meters every 15 years.
Future metering
Council has no plans to meter domestic consumers in the Rotorua urban area.
How to read a water meter
- A meter has a dial similar to the odometer of a car and measures volume in cubic metres.
- Most dials have a series of black and red numbers.
- The black numbers are whole cubic metres; these are recorded by the meter reader.
- The red numbers indicate parts of a cubic metre; there may be up to 4 red numbers.
Checking for a leak
If your metered water readings are higher than usual, check your meter. If the numbers are spinning around on the dial, a lot of water is being used.
Determine which side of the meter the leak is on. If the leak is on your property, you should call a plumber. If it is on Council's side (from the road to the meter), call Council and we will arrange for it to be fixed, free of charge.
Things to check for:
- Check the meter reading - is the meter dial turning when all taps are turned off?
- Check for leaking taps, both inside and outside
- Check if the hot water cylinder outlet pipe is leaking
- Does your lawn have any wet or unusually green patches?
- Are there any soft or wet patches in your driveways or paths?
- Have you used more water lately? For example, have you increased use of your sprinkler systems or hoses?
- Have your living arrangements changed - are there more people in the house?
- If you live on a farm, are stock water troughs functioning effectively?
- If you own a business, are the urinals working properly? Make sure they're not running continuously.
- In rental properties, have there been any changes in occupancy?
If you're still unsure, conduct an overnight leakage test:
Overnight leakage test:
Read your water meter last thing at night and then again first thing in the morning. You can calculate how much water is being lost through leakage by subtracting the evening meter reading from the morning reading.
If you lose more than one litre per hour, you should check the above list. Losing more than ten litres per hour is a significant leak and you should contact a plumber.
If you find a leak between the meter and the road, you should contact Council on 07 348 4199 immediately.
If you have had a water leak and want your water bill or excess wastewater bill reassessed - please submit this form - Water Consumption Charges - Remission Request (PDF 931 KB)