Water is our most precious resource and Aqwest has a responsibility as part of its operating licence to protect and manage it on behalf of the whole community, as well as promote and encourage water conservation among our customers.
How does Aqwest charge for water?
Aqwest's water consumption tariff system rewards customers who save water – average water users are charged a low rate per kilolitre of water used, but people who use high amounts or waste water, quickly move up to a higher tariff level. The more you use, the more you pay.
How do I track the water I use?
Aqwest recommends that customers read their meters every week, record the consumption figure and keep an eye on any sudden increases – this could indicate a hidden leak.
Read the black figures on the meter from left to right, eg, if a reading is 000123 in the black figures, that equates to 123 kilolitres.
What if I think I have a hidden leak?
Hidden water leaks in household pipes can happen to anyone and you don’t often know about it until you get a big water bill. By reading your meter regularly, you can detect sudden increases and get the problem fixed, avoiding large water bills.
If you think you have a leak, carry out a simple leak detection test. It is important that no water is being used at the property when you are doing the test. Ensure you check:
You haven't recently flushed the toilet
The dishwasher or washing machine is not running
The evaporative cooling is not turned on
There is no garden irrigation or sprinkler system turned on
Once you have confirmed no water is being used on your property, read the black and red numbers on your meter. Record the numbers from left to right. The black numbers represent kilolitres (1,000 litres) and the red numbers represent litres.
Wait two minutes, then write down the meter read again. You should also watch the dials on your meter during this time to see if they are moving.
What does it mean?
If the numbers are slightly different or the dial has moved slightly, this could indicate:
a small leak
a dripping tap or
a faulty appliance
In this situation Aqwest recommends that you check appliances and taps.
If the numbers are significantly different and the dials are moving rapidly, this could indicate an internal leak on your property.
In this situation we encourage you to contact a licensed plumber to investigate – the sooner a plumber is called, the lower your water bill will be. This investigation as well as any repairs or additional costs will be at your own expense.
If the numbers are the same and the dials have not moved, this means there is unlikely to be a leak on your property. In this situation please call our Customer Service Help Desk on 9780 9500 and Aqwest will send someone out to investigate the network.
How do I save water?
Water conservation is easy! About 40 per cent of water consumption is in the garden and about 60 per cent inside the home.
For more tips, check out Aqwest's Managing your water page on this website.