Installing and reading water meters

  1. Plan your water meter installation and validation requirements:
    • review your water extraction points and the infrastructure already in place
    • determine how many new meters are needed
    • source ‘fit for purpose’ water meters that best suit your existing infrastructure
  2. ‘Fit for purpose’ means that the type, size and configuration of the water meter meets the pump’s optimal flow rate, pressure range and installation requirements. Ideally, the meter should also match the outlet diameter of the pump and associated pipe work.
  3. Contact DEW Water Licensing on 08 8595 2053 for advice - we want to help you by making this as easy as possible.
  4. Visit your local metering supplier. They can offer advice about meter types and your individual metering set-up.
  5. Any meter installed by a trained validator will be considered a compliant installation. Once work is completed, use the meter notification form (see below) to advise us, and provide proof of work.
  6. If you plan to install your meter(s) yourself, the meter and installation will need to be inspected by DEW for compliance. Once work is completed, use the meter notification form (see below) to advise that the meter has been installed and to lodge your first reading. DEW will then arrange for the meter(s) to be inspected.
  7. If there are extenuating circumstances that require you need more than six months to install and validate new meters, you will need to contact DEW to negotiate a time extension. We want to work with you to achieve water management results, and avoid unnecessary hardship.
  8. Once your meters are installed, the conditions on your water licence or instrument will tell you when to lodge meter readings. This may be annually or quarterly, depending on your circumstances.

More information

Use the Australian Government’s online meter notification form to advise DEW of meter installation or lodge your readings.

We have developed a range of factsheets about water licensing to assist you. Refer to related links below.

Related links