Water Meters
Water meters are installed on properties in order to record water consumption.
Water meters remain the property of Cradle Mountain Water, along with any ongoing maintenance responsibility. The meter is usually located just within the boundary of the property, where the property's water supply connects to our mains. If the property owner/occupier cannot locate their water meter, an application for the location can be made to Cradle Mountain Water on 13MYWATER (13 6992).
Access to Water Meters
It is the property owner/occupier's responsibility to ensure safe and easy access is available for Cradle Mountain Water representatives to read or maintain any water meter/s on the property. This ensures meters can be read efficiently by our staff.
Cradle Mountain Water maintenance staff may also need to access the stop tap, which is usually located beside the water meter for urgent repairs at any time, day or night. In these instances, a Cradle Mountain Water representative will endeavour to contact the property owner/occupier to advise that there will be urgent works undertaken on their property.
Reading Meters
Water meters are read by authorised Cradle Mountain Water representatives at scheduled intervals throughout the year. The readings are used to calculate the consumption/usage of water for the property. Cradle Mountain Water representatives will read water meters between the hours of 7.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
Inaccessible Meters
In the event that a water meter cannot be accessed for reading, Cradle Mountain Water representatives will leave a card advising that they have visited the property. The property owner/occupier can contact Cradle Mountain Water to arrange a suitable time (preferably within 48 hours) for the representative to return and read the meter. This reading will need to be undertaken between the hours of 8.00am and 4.00pm weekdays.
In the event that the property owner/occupier fails to contact Cradle Mountain Water, the Corporation reserves the right to issue an account with an estimated usage. If there is a dispute because of the estimated reading, a "Special Water Meter Reading" can be requested.
If the water meter cannot be made accessible, either for security reasons, or any other reasons, an application can be made to Cradle Mountain Water for the relocation of the water meter or the installation of a remote reading device. Either of these options would be at the property owner/occupier's expense. This would require lodgement of a formal application to Cradle Mountain Water and payment of associated fees.
Special Water Meter Reading
A Special Water Meter Reading is a reading that has been requested outside of the scheduled water meter reading schedule. These are usually requested as a result of property sales or for changes in tenancy for rental properties.
Special readings will only be performed upon request. They are usually requested by legal firms, real estate agents or private landlords. Charges for Special Water Meter Reading are set out in our miscellaneous fees charges schedule.
How to Read Your Water Meter
Reading your water meter is the simplest way to find out how much water you and your family use. It is also a good way to determine whether or not you have a water leak on your property. For more information download the How To Read Your Water Meter Fact Sheet.