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• Water meters
  • Reading your meter
  • Special meter reads
  • Damaged and faulty meters
  • Moving your meter
  • Locking your meter
  • Sub-meters
  • Meter reading FAQs
• Water supply connections
• Water pressure
• Water leaks
• Water supply outages
• Water quality
  • What is in our water?
• Recycled water
  • Using recycled water
  • Recycled water outlets
• Water Quality Reports
• Carrier Permits
  • Potable water carriers
  • Recycled water carriers
• Metered hydrant standpipes
• Extracting water from creeks and rivers
• Laboratory services
• Forms & fact sheets

• Home
• Water supply
• Water leaks

Water leaks

Water leaks can occur either within the boundary of a private property or external to the property. If the leak is on private property, the property owner should contact a licensed plumber to fix the leak. See below for information on how to check for leaks.

If you notice a leak around your water meter or on public property, Unitywater is responsible for fixing it. Please contact us as soon as possible to report it.

The following list gives examples of leaks we will attend to.

  - Water leaking on to the footpath or road.
  - Water leaking from your meter box.
  - Any burst water main or pipe.
  - Any leaking tap next to your meter.

Checking for leaks on your property

You can check for leaks on your property by following these five simple steps: 

1. Turn off all taps tightly and make sure no one will be using any water on the property for at least one hour, including flushing the toilet. DO NOT turn off the tap at the water meter.
2. Find your water meter and write down the numbers shown  (see how to read your water meter).
3. If the number on the far right of the water meter is still moving when all taps are off and no water is being used, there may be a leak.
4. After one hour of using no water (or longer, if possible), check the water meter reading again.
5. If the reading has changed or the dial is moving, you may have a leak and we suggest you contact a licensed plumber to investigate and repair the leak.

Toilet cistern leaks are common and can be easily checked by following these steps:

1. Pour food colouring into the toilet cistern.
2. If colour appears in the toilet bowl before flushing, you have a leak.
3. Flush as soon as the test has been completed as food colouring may stain the cistern.
4. We suggest you contact a licensed plumber to investigate and repair the leak.

Important to note: customers regularly have leaks in excess of 2,000 litres per day with no evidence of water on the surface. Pipes crack underground, often under driveways and walls, and the water simply flows underground and does not surface. It is important therefore for customers to proactively check their water meter for possible leaks on a regular basis.

If you have had a leak repaired on your property you may be eligible for a one off Water Consumption Charge Adjustment (PDF). Your application will be assessed in accordance with Unitywater's Concealed Leaks Policy (PDF) as a rebate may not be applicable to all customers.