Receiving a higher-than-expected water bill can come as a surprise.
If you're concerned that your billed water usage is not an accurate reflection of what your household has used, completing a leak detection test can help rule out leaks within your home.
To complete this test you will need access to your water meter/s.
If your property is supplied with both recycled and potable water:
- Gold meter: Potable (drinking) water meter
- Purple meter: Recycled water meter
How to complete a leak detection test
This self-test helps determine if water is flowing when all appliances and taps are turned off.
- Turn off all water sources: Ensure all internal and external taps are tightly closed and no water-using appliances (dishwashers, washing machines, irrigation systems, plumbed fridges etc) are running or set to run automatically.
- Locate your water meter: It may be located at the front or the back of your property.
- Record the initial reading: Write down the full number shown on the meter, including the red numbers (which represent litres). Alternatively, take a photo of the meter reading.
- Wait: Do not use any water for a period of at least one to four hours (overnight is recommended for best results)
- Record the final reading: After the test period, check the meter/s again and record the new reading
- Compare readings: If the numbers have changed, you likely have a leak.
If it appears you may have a leak, your next step is to identify where the water is leaking and have the leak fixed.
See our guide: How to identify water leaks in your home