Reading your water meter

We will try to get actual meter readings from your water meter at least once a quarter. This ensures that your water bills are accurate. To do this, we need to access your water meter safely. If we can’t, we may ask you to read the meter or we may estimate your meter reading.

You can help us by making sure your water meter is easy to access, for example:

• cut back any plants that are covering the meter
• dig out the area if the meter is buried
• keep your dog in an area away from the meter in the week it is scheduled to be read.

If your meter is behind a locked gate or fence, we recommend you use a fire industry standard 003 lock and key or a key safe or lock with a code. You can then contact us with the code at the time the meter reader needs access.

You can also contact us to discuss the option of moving the meter to a more accessible place or having a remote reader fitted at your site.

If we ask you to read the meter, please follow the steps below.

Reading your own water meter

Without a meter reading, we may need to estimate your bill based on your past usage. Before we estimate your bill, we might ask you to read your own meter and send us the results for accuracy.

You may also need to read your own meter to:

• check whether there’s a leak that’s costing you money
• check how much water you’re using.

How to read your water meter

1. Find your water meter. It should be at the front of your property (they’re often near your garden tap).
2. When you’ve found your meter, write down all the black numbers against the white background (if there are red numbers or numbers against a red background, ignore them). This gives your reading in kilolitres. 
3. Next, write down the meter number. Meter numbers usually start with the letters M or MA.
4. Finally, send us your meter reading.

Give us your meter reading

If you’ve received an estimated bill, you can contact us with your meter reading and number.

You can also call us if you need help finding or reading your water meter.