Do I have a water leak?

You can use your property's water meter to check whether water is being lost when no taps, toilets or appliances are being used. This simple water meter leak test can also help estimate how many litres of water you may be losing per hour.

For a reasonably accurate result, perform the test over 15 or 30 minutes and make sure nobody uses water during the test.

​

1. Find Your Water Meter

Locate your property's water meter and open the meter box or cover.

Water meters are usually located near the front boundary of the property, although their position can vary depending on the property and local water infrastructure.

Make sure you can clearly see the meter reading before beginning the test.

​

2. Turn Off All Water Use

Before taking the first reading, stop all water use at the property.

During the test, do not:

• turn on taps;

• flush toilets;

• use the washing machine or dishwasher;

• run irrigation or sprinklers;

• use outdoor hoses; or

• use any other appliance or fixture that consumes water.

This is important because any normal water use during the test can make it appear that you have a leak when you do not.

​

3. Take a Photo of the Water Meter Reading

Take a clear photo of the water meter before starting the test.

The photograph gives you an accurate record of the starting reading so you do not need to rely on memory.

On many water meters, the red digits represent litres, while the other digits record larger units of water consumption.

Record this as your starting meter reading.

​

4. Wait 15 or 30 Minutes and Take Another Reading

Do not use any water during the test period.

Wait either:

15 minutes, or

30 minutes.

At the end of the test, take another clear photo of the water meter.

Compare the second photograph with your starting reading. If the meter has moved even though no water was intentionally being used, water may be escaping somewhere in the property's plumbing system.

​

5. Calculate How Many Litres of Water Were Lost

Subtract your starting water meter reading from your final reading.

Litres lost = End meter reading − Start meter reading

​

For example:

If the meter shows that 18 litres were used during a 15-minute period when no water was intentionally being used, approximately 18 litres of water has been lost during the test.

You can then convert the result into an estimated litres-per-hour leak rate.

​

How to Convert a 15-Minute Water Meter Test to Litres Per Hour

For a 15-minute test:

Litres lost × 4 = litres lost per hour

​

Example:

18 litres lost in 15 minutes × 4 = 72 litres per hour

That means the property may be losing approximately 72 litres of water every hour.

​

How to Convert a 30-Minute Water Meter Test to Litres Per Hour

For a 30-minute test:

Litres lost × 2 = litres lost per hour

Example:

18 litres lost in 30 minutes × 2 = 36 litres per hour

That means the property may be losing approximately 36 litres of water every hour.