Tamworth Regional Council has invested in enhanced water sustainability across the local community with the installation of new automatic water meters.
The rollout began in March 2023 and was completed by late 2023 with over 23,000 automatic water meters now installed across the Tamworth Local Government Area.
What are Automatic Water Meters?
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Why did Council upgrade the water meters?
Council used mechanical water meters which relied on manual reading of the meter to capture consumption data. This approach is outdated, manually intensive and relatively inefficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Automatic Water Meter?
Automatic water meters measure water usage and are fitted with radio transmitters to provide accurate real-time water usage readings, improving the accuracy of water bills, detect possible leaks, promote better water management and improve customer service.
Why did I get an Automatic Water Meter at my property?
Council used an aging fleet of mechanical water meters which relied on manual readers to capture consumption data. That approach is outdated, manually intensive and relatively inefficient. As a large number of the mechanical meters were due for replacement, this was an opportunity to consider digital technology to automate meter reading.
Automatic metering systems have the potential to revolutionise current water service operations, and many other councils are already reaping the benefits of providing customers with the extra services that automatic metering offers. The change to automatic water meters will streamline the meter reading process and offer opportunities for system improvements to create efficiencies and cost savings. The automatic water meter usage data assists Council in the management of the water network and guide planning decisions for upgrades to the water network.
How do I read my Automatic Water Meter?
Council has launched a free water portal called MyTRC Water where property owners, property managers and tenants can manage and monitor their water consumption. You can sign up today - My TRC Water Portal.
You can still manually read your meter too.
Water consumption is charged per kilolitre.
Top line displays kilolitres. Reading shown is 187m3 which is equivalent to 187 kilolitres (or 187,000 litres).
Bottom line displays litres. Reading shown is 866.04 litres. This number goes back to zero once 1000litres is reached, and 1kilolitre is then added to the top line.
This reader is showing a total consumption of 187,866.04litres (187 kilolitres on the top row (which is equivalent to 187,000 litres), and 866.04 litres is showing on bottom line).
You can check your property for leaks by ensuring no water is being is used within your property. Check your meter and if the bottom numbers are increasing you may have a leak.
How do I complete a self meter test of my automatic water meter?
An automatic water meter will only register water when water is passing through it and this is confirmed by way of a “tell-tale” wheel – located in the photo below and to the right of the “00701” number.
- Turn the water off at the path cock (the tap on Councils side of the meter) and wait 30-60 seconds. After this short the time “tell-tale” wheel will disappear, and the bottom row of numbers will stop increasing
- After a few minutes, turn the water back on at the path cock. In the case of water being used on the property the “tell-tale” wheel will reappear and start spinning again or alternatively turn on a tap at the property which will also result in the “tell-tale” wheel reappearing and spinning again.
How do Automatic Water Meters work?
The automatic water meter device detects the water meter dial rotating and transmits the current water meter reading as a small radio signal. The information is then stored in a secure database managed by Tamworth Regional Council.
How strong is the radio signal?
The radio signal transmitted by the automatic meter is very small – it is about 30 times weaker than the signal transmitted by a mobile phone.
How does the device get power?
The automatic meter device is powered by a small battery. All the power used by the device comes from the battery.
Who is installing it?
Taggle Systems (and their sub-contractor Data Right) has been selected through a formal tender process and will work with Tamworth Regional Council to deliver this high-quality, innovative technology to residents and businesses across the local government area. An authorised contractor from Taggle or Data Right will be installing the devices. They will have identification on their persons. They will be knocking on the door in attempt to notify the customer of the installation and they will leave a flyer in the mailbox or at the premises once installation is complete.
Who will install the new meters?
Council staff will install automatic water meters to new properties or in the case of a replacement needed. Council staff will always be identifiable in Council uniform or alternatively have appropriate ID on them.
The install will take between 10 and 20 minutes depending on the location of the meter.
Will my water be interrupted while install occurs?
Yes, you will experience a short interruption to your water supply whilst the new meter is installed, installation only takes 10-20 minutes.
Following the installation of a new automatic meter, there may be a build-up of air in the properties water pipes. When residents first fun a tap, this air will be pushed out and may cause a popping and spluttering effect in the tap. This is perfectly normal and will pass within 30 - 60 seconds. This can be expected from all taps in and outside the house.
Will this affect my billing?
If you have been receiving water usage notices from Tamworth Regional Council, then you will continue to receive quarterly notices and any usage would reflect usage recorded on the old meter when removed and the usage on the new automatic meter accurate to the day of the notice being issued.
What will my water data be used for?
Initially your water meter data will be used by Council to identify any hidden leaks to which you will be notified if any are found. On average 10% of homes and businesses have concealed leaks they are not aware of despite best efforts to save water.
Council will use the water usage data for water billing purposes, the data can also be used to identify properties that breach water restrictions and if necessary, fines can be issued from this data.
Will automatic water meters be used to fine property owners for water restriction breaches?
Automatic water meters provide an expansive number of water demand opportunities in the future. Water restrictions as we have known in the past are likely to look very different in the future thanks to the options available to us through automatic metering. It should be noted that automatic meters will provide time-stamped data usage that if required, could be used for regulatory purposes.
Who is responsible for the maintenance of the device?
If you notice that your meter or device is damaged or in need of maintenance please contact Council’s customer service team on 6767 5555.
Does it cost me any extra money?
The cost of deploying automatic meters will be funded by Council’s water meter replacement program.
How can I monitor my data?
All property owners/property managers and tenants* who have an automatic water meter installed can now monitor their water consumption anytime, anywhere, and be notified in the case of any potential leaks via the MyTRC Water Portal with access to those details being completely free.
This online and easy to use service gives residents the tools to save water and money. You can also choose your own water consumption targets and set up alerts to warn you if these targets have been or are likely to be exceeded. Whilst this is not mandatory, Council highly recommends you register for this free service for any property that you may own in the Tamworth Local Government Area to better manage/monitor water usage – https://mytrcwater.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/.
Registration for the MyTRC Water Portal is quick and you will just need a Water Account in front of you for the property you are registering to obtain some details off that Notice.
* access to the Portal for tenants can only be approved by the Property Owner or Property Manager via application through the MyTRC Water Portal.
How do I know if I have a leak?
Once you have registered on the water portal you will be able to set alerts for high water usage and leaks. From the home page menu select “Alerts” then select “Manage Alerts”. You will see a list of options which you can customise to monitor your own water usage.
When the water consumption or leak reaches the threshold you have chosen, you will receive either an SMS or Email.
What should I do if I have a leak?
If you have been alerted of a leak at your property through the water portal, you should try to locate the leak as soon as possible. Some common leaks could be taps, showers, toilets, evaporative air conditioning, irrigation systems and rain water tanks that are connected to town water.
You may be able to repair the leak yourself or if you cannot find or fix the leak yourself, you may need to engage a plumber.
If you have a significant leak you are able to turn off the water supply to your property by turning off the tap at your water meter which is usually at the front of your property. This will assist in reducing wasted water or any potential damage to your property until the leak can be repaired.
What do I do if my water meter or automatic meter device is damaged?
Generally the device will automatically send an alert to Council if a defect is detected.
If you notice that your meter or device is damaged or in need of maintenance please contact Council’s customer experience centre on 6767 5555.
Can I still use the meter cover that I have now on my water meter?
Only all plastic meters covers can be used with automatic meters. Covers with or constructed of metal present a risk to the installation and property owners.
My property experiences heavy frosts which freezes my water service. What can I do about this if I can't use my old meter cover?
The new meters are constructed to prevent frost/freezing of the meter assembly.
A additional plastic meter cover can be purchased from Council that protects not only the meter but the inlet and outlet pipes of the water service. Costs for the covers are listed in Council's Fees and Charges.
How can I secure the meter cover to prevent theft?
The meter covers can be chained to the standpipe using a bike chain etc. Metal chains will not effect the signal as they are not covering the meter itself.