Check for leaks

Have your water bills increased lately? It could be that your water use is higher than normal.

There are many reasons your water usage might be high, including:

• you’ve planted a new garden or installed a new sprinkler system
• you’re filling or topping up a swimming pool
• warmer or cooler weather means you’re using more heating or cooling in your home
• changes to the number of people in your home
• water-inefficient appliances such as a faulty toilet, dripping taps, overflowing hot water service
• ageing appliances with a low-efficiency star rating
• cracked and leaking solar hot water panels.

If none of the above applies, your high-water usage may be due to an undetected leak. To check if your property has a leak, you can do a leak test.

Before you do a leak test

It’s critical that no water in your house is running when you check for a leak.

Make sure you turn off:

• your dishwasher or washing machine
• garden sprinklers
• evaporative cooling systems or anything else that might use water.

Leave the stop tap next to your water meter turned on. Also leave toilet taps turned on.

For the most effective results, allow a minimum of four to five hours to perform this test, such as overnight or while all residents are away from the property for an extended period. 

How to check for a water leak

1. Find your water meter:

   Houses

   Your meter should be near your fence, at the edge of your property.

   Units and apartments

   Your meter should be at your front door or in a service cupboard. If you can’t find it, contact your building manager.

2. Write down the numbers on your meter or take a photo.

3. Don’t use any water for four to five hours.

   Make sure no one in your household uses any water either.

4. Check your water meter again.

   If the numbers have moved, you may have a leak.

What to do if you have a leak 

Before you call a plumber, repeat the process above. If you get the same result and it seems you do have a leak, call a licensed plumber.

Unexplained high usage and undetected leaks

In 2010, the Victorian water industry adopted a set of guidelines to make sure customers who receive an unexpectedly large water bill, whether from unexplained high usage or a hidden leak, are treated fairly and consistently.

Here’s what the guidelines mean for you:

• A clear process: They set out a standard way for all water corporations to investigate high usage and leak enquiries.
• Shared responsibility: The guidelines explain the roles of both customers and water corporations, so you know what to expect at each step.
• Fair outcomes: They outline a consistent method for calculating rebate allowances. This helps reduce the impact of leaks or unexplained usage on your bill. By following the guidelines, we make sure your enquiry is resolved transparently, with support available throughout the process.

This document was created before Greater Western Water was formed. It refers to City West Water and Western Water. On 1 July 2021, Western Water and City West Water joined to form a new water service provider, Greater Western Water.