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Outages & Faults

Leaks

Customers are encouraged to regularly check for leaks. If your water bill is higher than usual it could be a sign that you have a leak.

Customers are responsible for the internal pipes up to where the pipes connect to the water meter. For more information see Water Services Responsibility

If you notice your meter is leaking or a leak on the mains side of the meter, please contact us immediately on (08) 9780 9500. 

Checking for Leaks

Regularly check your property for dripping taps, leaking applicance connections, as well as hoses and reticulation. 

To learn how to read your meter, check out How to read your meter and download a Water Consumption Chart to record your water use. 

Detecting a Hidden Leak

To monitor water use and quickly detect hidden leaks, simply record water meter numbers regularly and get to know how many litres of water you are using. That way you will easily be able to detect any sudden increases in water use, which could indicate a hidden leak. 

Use our handy Leak Calculator to perform a basic leak test. 

Calculate your leak

Have you experienced a leak?

Each year some homeowners and businesses are shocked to receive a large water bill resulting from water leaks in their household pipes.

Aqwest offers assistance to customers who have an unexpected high bill as a result of a genuine hidden water leak or where water is lost in circumstances beyond a customer’s reasonable care and control.

Please refer to the Water Leaks page for more information on our Leak Allowance and Leak Assist Rebate programs. 

Leak Allowance

Aqwest supplies water to the water meter, and property owners are responsible for the cost of any water registered on the meter and for the condition and maintenance of the internal plumbing. 

If you have had a leak at your property, this will affect the amount of water you have used. If the leak has been repaired by a licensed plumber or Waterwise Garden Irrigator (WGI), then you may be eligible for an allowance to offset a portion of the water used. 

The application form must be completed by a licensed plumber or WGI and submitted to Aqwest within one (1) month of the date of repair. 

Application Criteria

  • Repairs must be completed bya  licensed plumber, or in the case of a leak in garden reticulation, an endorsed Waterwise Garden Irrigator (WGI), who has completed an Aqwest leak allowance application form. 

  • The water loss is not visible and is supported by the leak allowance claim form.

  • The leak allowance application form must be provided to Aqwest within one (1) month of the date of repair.

  • The leak must be repaired within one (1) month from identification of the leak. 

  • An leak allowance will only be assessed on values greater than $250.00 per claim. Claims of a lesser value will not be considered. 

  • A leak allowance will only be granted to a property owner once every five (5) years. 

  • An allowance would be considered only after a plumber or WGI report showing the irrigation system has been brought up to irrigation industry standards (including a manual isolation valve and master solenoid) and with all leaks repaired. 

  • As a leak allowance can only be allocated to a property owner once every fiver years, it is important that customers understand their responsibility to maintain their internal water service. 

  • Customers should frequently read their meter and record usage to help identify leaks early.

Where applications will not be considered

  • Where it can be shown that the loss was visible or clearly should have been detected. 

  • Where the internal service was patently sub-standard and does not meet Australian Plumbing Standard AS/NZ3500.

  • For leaks and/or bursts that occur on internal or external taps; internal appliances, fixtures or fittings including dishwashers, hot water systems, toilet cisterns and valves. 

  • Where the leak on the intenral plumbing is not repaired (or verified) by a licensed plumber. 

  • Where the garden irrigation system does not as a minimum have a manual isolation valve and master solenoid installed. 

  • Where the leak allowance application form is not provided to Aqwest within one (1) month of the date of repair. 

  • Where the leak is not repaired within one (1) month from the identification of the leak.

Calculation

The amount of the allowance which may be granted shall be determined by reference to: 

  • The increase in consumption compared to the previous consumption for the same period, based on three years or less. Consumption is based on the kilo-litres used. 

  • Where the leak has occurred over more than one meter reading period, the calculated allowance shall be completed on the most current read that includes the repair. 

  • Aqwest infrastructure - if water loss is caused by a fault with Aqwest infrastructure an allowance may be available. Please contact Aqwest to discuss your specific case. 

Complete the application form if you think you may be eligible and email to [email protected] 

Leak Assist Rebate

Aqwest offers all residential property owners up to $100 for leaks repaired by a licensed plumber. If approved, the amount will be applied to your residential water bill. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

  • You are a residential property owner with Aqwest

  • A licensed plumber has repaired your leak after September 2020

  • You have a copy of the plumber's invoice, your meter number and the meter reading at the time of repair

  • You know what was leaking (pipe, valve, fitting or other) and where (inside or outside)

  • You can describe what repairs were made

  • If it was an irrigation leak, you know whether you have a manual isolation valve and master solenoid installed. 

Complete the application form if you think you may be eligible and email it along with a copy of the plumber's invoice to [email protected]