Smart water meters are water meters fitted with radio transmitters that send meter readings to the water service provider every hour. Readings from individual meters can be used to identify possible water leaks on properties which might otherwise go unnoticed for months or even years. As such, they can help residents save money on wasted water and help communities make better use of their scarce water resources.

Remote meter reading also helps the water service provider identify possible network leaks through damaged pipes and joints. Such water losses can be significant and cost significant amounts of money in terms of both the actual water loss and any damage the lost water might cause to pipes, roads and buildings.

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 Council.

The radio signal transmitted by the smart meter is very small – it is about 30 times weaker than the signal transmitted by your mobile phone.

The technology is very safe with respect to electromagnetic field (EMF). The manufacturer has advised that the emissions are many orders of magnitude less than the average mobile phone. There is no established scientific evidence that the low-level exposure from smart meters causes any health effects to people, plants or animals. Further scientific information can be found on the smart meters and health page of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website.

The smart meter device is powered by a lithium battery. All the power used by the device comes from the battery. The battery will last 10 to 13 years. When the battery goes flat, the system will raise an alert for Council to act upon.

Your current water meter is read manually by a staff member at set intervals, providing Council with a one-off read of how much water has been used for billing purposes. Once the system is operational, the smart water meter provides Council and the customer with daily data. This will:

• assist with the early detection of leaks
• enable you to check your water usage daily
• allow you to develop strategies to reduce water usage
• enable Council to respond more effectively to usage enquiries

Initially your water meter data will be used by Council to identify any hidden leaks on your property, and if this occurs, you will be notified. On average, 10% of homes and businesses have concealed leaks they are not aware of despite best efforts to save water.

Council will also be using the data collected from the meters in the service area to determine if water is being lost within the network. This will help water staff pinpoint leaks within the network and potentially identify mains breaks before they escalate and cause customer disruptions.

The data will also help staff identify peak and off-peak water use times and assist in managing pumping and infrastructure to reduce costs when less water is required. The analysis of this data can help Council identify inefficiencies in the water network and inform decision making for upgrades to the water infrastructure.

If you notice that your meter is damaged or in need of maintenance, please contact Council by phone on 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372) or via email to mail@sdrc.qld.gov.au.

Council’s Smart Water Meter Program is a state funded program and as such there will be no additional cost to rate payers. 

As meters age, they lose their accuracy, and are replaced once they reach their end of serviceable life as part of council’s standard maintenance program.  This program roll out is no different to our standard maintenance process however is undertaken on a larger scale.

Initially Council will contact you directly via a letter if a leak has been identified at your property. As the project progresses, this feature will become available to you directly, along with the ability to view and monitor your daily usage information via the customer portal.

Smart meters have been implemented all over Australia over the last 20 years and are used by many councils and water authorities.