Installing residential water meters

If plumbing work involves installing a prescribed water meter for:

• a class 1 building on a lot that is part of a community titles scheme
• or
• a class 2 to 9 building.

The responsible person for the work must, at least 2 business days before the plumbing work is covered, give notice that the water meter has been installed to the water service provider for the building. Maximum penalty—20 penalty units ($2,875).

Note: Legislation requires that penalties are calculated by the amount of penalty units relating to each particular offence. The value of each penalty unit is $143.75 (current from 1 July 2022—the value changes each year on this date).

Type of plumbing work

Notifiable work includes work necessary for sealing a supply pipe downstream from a water meter, if the work is for an existing class 2 to 9 building and minor work for premises necessary for the sealing of a supply pipe downstream from the water meter for a class 1 or 10  building or structure.

However, it is not notifiable work if the work is installing an appliance or fixture in a building that is connected to any of the following:

• a combined sanitary drain
• a dual reticulated water supply provided by a water service provider
• work for, or connected to, trade waste
• work that uses a performance solution.

Who can install a primary or main water meter

Only a licensed plumber can install a certain type of water meter known as a primary or main water meter.

This is the water meter that services standalone properties, or the master meter for multi-unit premises. This water meter is owned by the service provider and usually located at the property boundary.

Who can install a sub-meter

A licensed plumber is also required to install sub-meters.

Sub-meters are the types of meter that service the individual units within multi-unit residential or commercial premises such as townhouses, apartment buildings or shopping centres.