Why water meter readings matter
Your water bill is based on two components:
A standing charge (for supplying water to the property)
A usage charge (based on the amount of water used)
Did you know? Your sewage charges are also calculated based on your water usage.
Most water suppliers only take meter readings once or twice a year, which means your bills are often based on estimates. These can lead to:
Overcharges for water you haven’t used
Undetected leaks that result in high backdated bills
Disputes after you’ve moved out (when it’s harder to prove usage)
Submitting accurate water readings helps avoid these issues.
Do I need to submit water readings regularly?
Yes — even if:
Your supplier sends bills based on estimates
You're on an unlimited water tariff
Why? Because:
Readings help detect leaks early
You’re still responsible for repairing leaks, even on unlimited plans
They support accurate billing, especially at move-in/move-out
What happens if you don’t submit a reading?
If you don’t provide a reading, your water supplier will estimate your usage instead. This means your bill might not perfectly reflect your actual consumption.
Regular readings help prevent over- or under-charging, keeping your payments fair and accurate.