Tamworth Regional Council has installed over 21,000 smart water meters across the region. Residents with a smart water meter installed can now monitor their water consumption anytime, anywhere, and all for free through the MyTRC Water Portal. This online and easy to use service gives residents the tools to save water and money.
Sign up to track your daily water usage. 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.
Register now at MyTRC Water Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Smart Water Meter?
Smart 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.
How do I read my Smart Water Meter?
The best way to track your water usage is through the MyTRC Water Portal, which shows your water usage accurate to within 24 hours. 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 Smart Water Meters work?
The smart 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 smart 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 smart meter device is powered by a small battery. All the power used by the device comes from the battery.
Will this affect my billing?
With the introduction of the MyTRC Water Portal, the issuing of water notices will become much more efficient. You will continue to receive quarterly notices, however the billing schedule will be changing slightly.
The new billing schedule is as follows:
| Reading Quarter |
Account Issued |
Account Due |
| July to September |
October |
November |
| October to December |
January |
February |
| January to March |
April |
May |
| April to June |
July |
August |
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 smart water meters be used to fine property owners for water restriction breaches?
Smart 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 smart metering. It should be noted that smart 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.
How can I monitor my data?
Council has launch an online portal for residents to monitor their water consumption - MyTRC Water Portal. Residents can sign up to the portal at www.mytrcwater.tamworth.nsw.gov.au
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 smart 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 Service on 6767 5555.