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Types of meters
Your water bills depend on the type of water meter you have and the way it’s set up.
Aucklanders use water in lots of different ways, so we have a range of meter types to meet your needs.
There are different meters to measure water usage. To help calculate wastewater discharge, we’ll also read meters on alternate water sources such as rainwater tanks.
While most meters are mechanical, we’re now upgrading to smart meters and magnetic meters for better accuracy to help save water and reduce costs. Smart loggers can also be installed on existing mechanical meters to get readings more frequently.
Having the right meter helps make sure you’re getting the best water services. You can learn more about the types of water meters below and the different ways they can be set up.
Water meter sizes
To measure your water demand accurately, we use different sized water meters. Meter sizes range from 15 to 150mm.
- Small meters measure low flow accurately while still providing good pressure. However, they’ll struggle to cope with high demand. Ongoing high water use can result in low pressure or the meter breaking, causing costly maintenance and incorrect bills.
- Large meters provide lots of water quickly but they’re not good at measuring small amounts of water use. They’re also expensive to install and maintain.
Residential meters
Meters for a normal home are between 15 and 25mm in size. Apartment buildings often require a larger meter.
Small commercial, irrigation or multi-unit meters
These meters are between 25mm and 40mm in size, slightly larger than the standard residential meters. A testable backflow device may be required for some site uses.
Combo meters
Connections larger than 50mm should use a combo meter, with two dials to record high and low flows accurately. Meters are usually 25mm for low flow and 50 to 100mm for high flow.
Mag flow meters
These are 80mm+ in size and used for our largest connections, such as malls and breweries. They have a digital dial and use magnets to measure water use.
Other water meter setups
Other water meter setups
Shared meters Sometimes two or more property owners share the same water meter and the water bill for each owner is based on readings from the single meter. Everyone who shares the meter pays an equal share of the bill.
Types of properties that may have shared meters:
- Flats/units
- A main residence with a granny flat or standalone unit
- A mixed commercial-residential property.
Our FAQs explain more about shared meters and why you might separate from them.
Sometimes two or more property owners share the same water meter and the water bill for each owner is based on readings from the single meter. Everyone who shares the meter pays an equal share of the bill.
Types of properties that may have shared meters:
- Flats/units
- A main residence with a granny flat or standalone unit
- A mixed commercial-residential property.
Our FAQs explain more about shared meters and why you might separate from them.
Irrigation metersFor watering large areas, an irrigation meter may save you money. An irrigation meter is a standalone meter that measures water used outdoors only, such as for watering big orchards, golf courses or large gardens. It works in the same way as a household water meter, with a dial that records the volume of water passing through it.
For detailed info including charges click the button below and read our FAQs.
Learn more about irrigation meters
For watering large areas, an irrigation meter may save you money. An irrigation meter is a standalone meter that measures water used outdoors only, such as for watering big orchards, golf courses or large gardens. It works in the same way as a household water meter, with a dial that records the volume of water passing through it.
For detailed info including charges click the button below and read our FAQs.
Learn more about irrigation meters
Check metersA check meter is a private meter that records your water use. If you’re on a shared meter and want to record your own water use, a check meter is cheaper than separating from a shared meter.
An example is a property owner who has a granny flat. They can measure the amount of water their tenant is using and legally charge the tenant for it under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Check meters are also used in blocks of apartments or townhouses. The body corporate reads the check meters to share out the monthly water bill between households.
A check meter is a private meter that records your water use. If you’re on a shared meter and want to record your own water use, a check meter is cheaper than separating from a shared meter.
An example is a property owner who has a granny flat. They can measure the amount of water their tenant is using and legally charge the tenant for it under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Check meters are also used in blocks of apartments or townhouses. The body corporate reads the check meters to share out the monthly water bill between households.
Rain tank water metersIf your household relies on a rain tank or bore water, it may be worth installing a meter. While we don’t supply your water, we do charge a fee for collecting and treating your wastewater. As a user of rain tank or bore water, you have two options for paying this:
No meter: you pay a fixed charge, which stays the same no matter how much wastewater you discharge.
Meter: you pay a lower fixed charge, plus a volumetric component. The volumetric component will vary, based on the volume of water that flows through your meter.
If you’re a small household and use water efficiently (less than 220kL per year), your bills may be lower with a meter.
Other things to consider
- You must use an Elster Kent water meter.
- Location: See our installation guidelines.
- Responsibilities: Rainwater tanks and household plumbing are private systems on private property. It’s your responsibility to maintain the water meter and your private plumbing network.
- Monthly bills and meter readings: We’ll send you a bill each month. Learn more.
- The timing of your first fixed/volumetric bill will depend on when the meter reader is in your area. In some cases, it may take up to two months for your first volumetric charges to appear on the bill.
- Please note your bill totals may vary during the first few months as we gain enough information to accurately estimate your use.
Download PDFs
- Q and A: detailed information about rain tank water meters
- Rain tank water meter application form
- Installation guidelines
- Terms and conditions
- Our water meter trial
If your household relies on a rain tank or bore water, it may be worth installing a meter. While we don’t supply your water, we do charge a fee for collecting and treating your wastewater. As a user of rain tank or bore water, you have two options for paying this:
No meter: you pay a fixed charge, which stays the same no matter how much wastewater you discharge.
Meter: you pay a lower fixed charge, plus a volumetric component. The volumetric component will vary, based on the volume of water that flows through your meter.
If you’re a small household and use water efficiently (less than 220kL per year), your bills may be lower with a meter.
Other things to consider
- You must use an Elster Kent water meter.
- Location: See our installation guidelines.
- Responsibilities: Rainwater tanks and household plumbing are private systems on private property. It’s your responsibility to maintain the water meter and your private plumbing network.
- Monthly bills and meter readings: We’ll send you a bill each month. Learn more.
- The timing of your first fixed/volumetric bill will depend on when the meter reader is in your area. In some cases, it may take up to two months for your first volumetric charges to appear on the bill.
- Please note your bill totals may vary during the first few months as we gain enough information to accurately estimate your use.
Download PDFs
- Q and A: detailed information about rain tank water meters
- Rain tank water meter application form
- Installation guidelines
- Terms and conditions
- Our water meter trial
Master and subsidiary metersIn this old set-up, householders share responsibilities. We no longer install meters in this configuration. However, it typically consists of:
- a master meter: this is usually at the front of the property or building complex. It records all water that passes through the units or dwellings where water is connected.
- subsidiary or sub meters: these are meters to individual properties that are connected to the master meter. They’re usually further down the line, outside the unit or dwelling they supply. They record water use for that dwelling.
Some properties have unique arrangements. For instance, the line between the master meter and the sub-meters may feed a communal tap, pool, irrigation system or carport.
In this old set-up, householders share responsibilities. We no longer install meters in this configuration. However, it typically consists of:
- a master meter: this is usually at the front of the property or building complex. It records all water that passes through the units or dwellings where water is connected.
- subsidiary or sub meters: these are meters to individual properties that are connected to the master meter. They’re usually further down the line, outside the unit or dwelling they supply. They record water use for that dwelling.
Some properties have unique arrangements. For instance, the line between the master meter and the sub-meters may feed a communal tap, pool, irrigation system or carport.
Deduction metersWe no longer set up meters this way, however it’s still in use for some properties. In it, there’s a master deduction meter (the DD meter) and one or more sub deduction meters (D meters). Water passes first through the DD meter and then to the D meters.
The diagram shows an example of a deduction arrangement, where the two lower properties share the same private line.
We no longer set up meters this way, however it’s still in use for some properties. In it, there’s a master deduction meter (the DD meter) and one or more sub deduction meters (D meters). Water passes first through the DD meter and then to the D meters.
The diagram shows an example of a deduction arrangement, where the two lower properties share the same private line.
Backflow prevention
Our water meters all require backflow prevention devices. Backflow occurs when water goes through the meter but returns into our network. This can contaminate the public water supply, so it’s important that all connections have meters and that those meters aren't tampered with.
For low-risk sites, backflow prevention may be as simple as a non-return valve. For high-risk sites, a special prevention device is required and must be tested annually.
Changing your meter
If you get low water pressure at your property or want to increase the demand for our services, you may need to change your meter size. You’re responsible for letting us know if the meter needs changing.
You can apply to change your meter size. It's important for our developer services team to understand your water use patterns, such as whether you need a lot of water quickly (peak flow) or if you use it over time (average flow). We need this info so we can correctly assess what meter size is suitable for your site.
Related content
Related content
Keeping track of your water usage can help to reduce your water bill.
We’re updating our mechanical water meters with smart meters. They give more detailed info about your water use to help you save water and manage your bill.
It’s handy to know where your water meter is so you can track your water use, detect a leak or report your meter reading to us.