Your water meter is essential for accurately measuring your water use.
Whether you have a digital meter installed or rely on our meter readers to visit your property every three months - having clear access to your meter is important.
Here is why Coliban Water staff need safe and clear access to your water meter.
Providing clear access
Overgrown plants, bushes and long grass can pose an issue for our meter readers. Make sure the area around your water meter is clear. You could use a cover like a water meter valve box to help with this.
Other tips to keep your water meter accessible:
- Keep your lawn trimmed and don't plant things close to your meter.
- If your water meter is in a garden bed make sure dirt or mulch aren't piled on top of it.
- If your water meter is in an area that fills with silt, water or other materials, clean the area regularly.
- Don't build things like brick letterboxes around or over your water meter.
- If your water meter is in a locked area, you can provide a key for our staff. All keys are held securely in our office and only taken out when reading the meter at your property. We can also relay special instructions to our team on your behalf. Contact our team on 1300 363 200 to make these arrangements.
- In rural areas, electric fences should be clearly marked and long grass maintained in paddock areas accessed by staff.
What happens if we can't access your meter
If staff cannot easily or safely access your water meter, an estimate of your water usage will be made to calculate your bill and you will need to provide us with a read to receive an accurate account.
Meter reader safety
It is important that our staff – as well as your pets – are safe if we visit your property.
If you have an animal that is protective, over-enthusiastic or can be aggressive, we need to know.
Ensure your pet is contained by appropriate fencing or tethers and that ‘beware of animal’ signage is clearly displayed.
It’s a good idea to let us know before we arrive. You can call us 1300 363 200 and ‘do not access’ advice will be loaded to our meter readers’ hand-held devices. In this instance, an estimate will be used to calculate your bill.
Pet owners can be fined or prosecuted if their animal attacks, bites or harasses people or other animals.
When will we read your meter?
Check the top right hand corner of your latest bill to determine when a member of our team is due to read your meter.
For more information or to better understand your bill visit the Paying Your Account Page.