Water Metering Project
Water meters are an essential tool for measuring how much water each property uses. Across most of Tasmania, properties are metered and charged in accordance to how much water is used.
In greater Hobart, where more than 50,000 residential properties remain unmetered, Southern Water has begun installing water meters with the technology which allows us to read meters remotely form the street. These will be installed by mid 2012.
Unmetered commercial and industrial properties will also receive a water meter and existing meters will be replaced over the next few years with the more modern automated meter reading technology (AMR) meters which are being introduced through the Water Metering Project. Once completed, the installation will enable the introduction of a fairer, two-part pricing approach for all Tasmanians in mid 2012.
In the south, the water metering project is partially funded by Southern Water and the Australian Government’s Water for the Future initiative through the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns Program, which provided a $10 million grant.
Click on the links below to find out more information about the installation of water meters and how it may affect you.
Here are some of the benefits
Evidence shows that the introduction of water meters leads to a decrease in water usage—something that’s been experienced in every state of Australia. This means Southern Water can postpone expensive upgrades to water treatment plants, pipelines and sewage treatment plants. Over time, this will ensure that water prices can be kept as low as possible for customers.
Water meters mean that customers receive information in their account about how much water they use. With that information, they can consider ways, and make informed decisions, to change their water usage patterns.
With this information, customers can detect leaks in the home or in their pipes. Water corporations can also detect hidden leaks in their bulk lines which they cannot do without meters throughout the system. Detecting and dealing with leaks can make a huge difference to how much water is used and the more losses we can eliminate, the less we all need to pay.
Water meters lead to a more sustainable environment. The less water we use, the less impact we have on the environment. Water is taken from distant water catchments and treated and pumped before arriving in homes and businesses. Once poured and flushed away, it undergoes a costly treatment process and treated sewage is released back into our environment. By using only the water we need, we can reduce our impact on the environment—at both ends.