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Last Updated: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 12:23

We deliver water services to customers in Toowoomba Region.

 

Water service connection

Information about the following water connection services can be found in the 'Water meter connections' article:

  • new service connections
  • disconnection of service
  • meter relocation
  • meter size upgrade or downgrade
  • restoration or reconnection of an existing service.

 

Water meters

Water meters measure the amount of water used at your property. All properties connected to our water supply are metered.

The majority of residential meters are read twice a year to allow us to monitor your water consumption and work out how much your bill will be.

How to read a meter with black and red numbering

Checking your meter regularly is a great way to monitor your household water consumption and detect leaks. It will help you save water - and money!

The dial on your water meter is where you will find how much water you have used. Water meters usually display both black and red numbers. The black numbers are the kilolitres (kL) used. The red numbers are the litres (L) used. For example:

  • If the reading is 5107 511, it is 5 thousand 1 hundred and 7 kilolitres; 5 hundred and 11 litres.
  • If the reading is 136 9123, it is 1 hundred and 36 kilolitres; 9 hundred and 12.3 litres (please note the last digit in red is tenths of litres).

meter reading image

How to read a digital water meter

  1. Locate the meter on your property. Call Council on 131 872 if unsure where the meter is located.
  2. Lift the lid on the top of the meter. The screen will turn on with sufficient light:
    • Check your meter during the day, or use a torch at night.
    • The meter has an integrated light sensor and the display will activate when sufficient light is detected. If the display doesn't turn on with ample light, your meter may be faulty or the light sensor may be obstructed by dust and dirt. Wipe the face of the meter with a dry cloth. If this doesn't work, phone Toowoomba Regional Council on 131 872.
  3. By default, the meter will display the total cumulative water consumption. Record the reading (number represents kilolitres of water used to 5 decimals).

You can use the light sensor to toggle through the meter information displayed on the screen by pressing the sensor:

  1. Cover the light sensor for three seconds to change between cumulative flowrate (kL), instantaneous flowrate (kL/h) and water temperature (Celsius)

  2. The display will disappear after two minutes of the light sensor not being covered. The screen will default back to cumulative flow in kilolitres (kL) after 15 seconds of inactivity.

How to use your water meter to check for leaks

  1. Ensure all taps in the dwelling and garden are turned off.
  2. Leave toilet cistern and hot water systems on.
  3. Leave the meter stopcock on.
  4. Read the digits on the meter (from left to right) and note down the meter reading.
  5. Do not use any water for 30 minutes.
  6. Read the digits on the meter again. If the meter reading has changed after 30 minutes there may be a leak. This leak is the responsibility of the property owner to fix.

What to do if you have a leak at the meter

If you notice a leak at the meter, or on the footpath or road, contact us to report the issue.

Leaks found elsewhere on the property are the responsibility of the property owner to have fixed.

Locating your meter

Your water meter is usually found in the front right or left corner of your property. The meter will be set in the ground in a box. If you live in a unit, flat or townhouse complex you may have individual  meters for each residence; these are known as secondary meters.

Looking after your meter

Keeping the area around your water meter neat and tidy allows our officers to easily read and maintain the meter. General maintenance that should be undertaken by the property owner around the meter includes:

  • cutting back shrubs and grass
  • clearing dirt and leaves from around the meter (wear gardening gloves to do this)
  • keeping prickly plants away from the meter.

We are responsible for maintaining the workings, repair and replacement of the water meter.

Requesting water meter maintenance

Occasionally you may require maintenance to your water meter to fix problems such as:

  • unable to turn the water meter off.
  • the lid of the box is missing.
  • the meter window is foggy and unable to be read.
  • broken lid.
  • cracked or dirty meter.
  • buried meter.

Report a water meter fault online.

 

Water network pressure and flow rate testing

We offer a pressure and flow rate test on water mains. These are the tests required for water connections or extensions for new development including design of fire protection systems (hydrants).

To organise this test please contact us and:

  • provide your contact details and details of request.
  • provide location details including a map with the required hydrant marked.
  • provide test details (i.e. two point or three point test etc.).
  • pay the relevant fee for a "Pressure and flow rate test" (check our Fees & Charges). 

 

Bores

Private water bores are not regulated by Council. If you are considering accessing groundwater for a bore construction or have a query about private bores contact the State Government Department of Natural Resources & Mines.

 

Related document

TRC Customer Service Standards 2019