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How Do I Connect My Water Meter?

26 October

Are the excessive water bills making you go crazy? Now, you can’t sleep at night thinking about how much water you use and how to lessen your water consumption. You can start by learning meter reading and familiarizing yourself with the red and black numbers in the submeter. It’s about time you got yourself a new water meter to keep track of the usage. Aside from being able to keep an eye out for your water consumption, the next time you get anxious over your bill, you can request a meter test in case there’s something wrong with the reading or water meter connections.

Water meters have gained significant popularity among Australian homeowners in the past few years, even for those living in flats and townhouse complexes. Not only because a water meter helps keep track of water usage, but most people consider meters to be the fairest and most appropriate way to charge for services and water consumption.

Having a water meter helps you only pay for the amount of water you use. Plus, installing a water meter encourages water conservation, which has become crucial in this age of climate change. That is why, regardless of where you live, get a water meter installed by a professional plumber for reliable water service.

This informative article will explain everything you need to know about connecting a water meter to your house. So, without further delay, let’s jump in and learn more about installing a new water connection!

3 Major Benefits Of Installing A Water Meter

Plumber Pointing Out Residential Water Meter

In this part, we have explained the top three benefits of installing a water meter at your house:

1. Pay-Per-Use Fairness

You are charged a flat amount each year when you don’t have a water meter, which is unacceptable today. A single man living in a 1-bedroom apartment does not use the same amount of water that a family of 5 living in a house uses. So, individual meters enable him to pay for only what he uses.

2. Track Water Usage

A water meter helps you keep track of your water usage. Most meters will help prevent you from wasting water. Water meters also enable you to save electricity usage and increase supply speed.

3. Detects Pipe Leakages

Lastly, a sub-meter can help detect leakages in water pipes. They allow you to track leaks immediately, identify the damage, and call a water service repair to avoid water wastage.

Connecting Your Water Meter

Water Coming From Bathroom Tap

You need to follow these steps to install a water meter in your home.

1. Ensure Your Indoor Plumbing Is Ready

First, before installing a meter, you need to ensure that all the interior plumbing is ready to manage water flow. Check if all the pipes are connected and laid correctly. So, if your meter reading increases, you’ll know you have a plumbing problem, and you’ll be able to address this immediately by calling a reliable water service.

Seal the PVC pipes and solder all the copper pipes. Also, ensure all your sink fixtures are correctly installed and functional.

You might also want cutoffs at all the sinks, toilets, and washing machines. In this way, you can cut off those fixtures, causing issues, without stopping the water supply entirely to the house.

2. Get The Required Permits

Next, you must visit the local water company that supplies your home. The people there will tell you everything about the permits required to install a water meter. You will most likely be required to pay a fee.

3. Create A Proper Supply Line

You have to use a good pipe to install the underground line. A 3/4-inch diameter CTS pipe will do the job, as in most cases, water meters are 3/4 inches in size.

Make sure to avoid the other necessary underground wires while installing the line. We suggest you get a thermal expansion control device and a backflow preventer and position them at the end of the pipe as per the plumbing code.

4. Get The Meter

After creating a supply line, you need to get hold of the water meter. The local water company will supply it to you. Or you can even order it online. The water company will probably not allow you to install it yourself.

So, once you are ready, ask them to come to your place and install the water meter. They will charge a modest installation fee and connect your water meter.

5. Check If The Meter Is Working

After the water meter has been installed, turn on the water supply. Let some water run down a faucet to ensure the water meter accurately registers the usage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here, we have listed a few frequently asked questions about water meters.

1. Will my water bill increase or decrease after installing a water meter?

According to most people, water meters have helped them to save money. Whether your bill will go lower or higher will depend on the following factors.

  • Number of family members in your home
  • How much water do all of you use

We recommend contacting your local water company to confirm whether a water meter will help you save money.

2. Can a tenant apply for a water meter?

Yes, of course. A person living in rented accommodation can apply for a water meter. But first, they will have to ask the landlord for permission. If the property owner consents, they can only apply for a water meter.

3. Can I change my mind after I’ve chosen to have a water meter installed?

Yes, you can. If you have second thoughts about installing a water meter, call the company immediately and cancel the request. If it has already been installed, the water company might not be willing to remove it. But, if you contact them within the first 12 months, they will allow you to return to the fixed unmetered charges.

4. Can I install a water meter by myself?

In most cases, the water company will not allow you to install the water meter. But even if you get permission to install it on your own, they will send an executive to ensure that the installation has been done correctly.

5. What are the different types of water meters?

There are mainly three different types of water meters:

  • Hot water meters
  • Velocity meters
  • Favourable displacement meters

Water Meter Cover In Concrete

Connecting Your Water Meter

To reduce your water bills and decrease your meter number reading, a new water meter is a must-have for your water connection. Hence, without a doubt, water meters have become quite popular today. Keep the indoor plumbing ready and obtain all the necessary permits, such as the application form, before connecting the new water meter. You can always speak to your local plumber about the options for your home. Or you can contact us, and we’ll help you with your water connections. Call Gold Coast Plumbing Company today at 1300 792 041, and let’s install your water meter.

Aside from new water meters, you can still contact us for other plumbing issues. Our licensed plumber will help you with all your plumbing needs with our full range of plumbing services.