How to Read Your Water Meter and Check for Leaks

How to Check for a Leak on a Digital Water Meter

When you first open a digital water meter, it will display the current total reading.

Step 1 – Access the Flow Screen

To check for live water usage:

  1. Close the meter lid
  2. Re-open it quickly
  3. A second screen will appear
    • This will include a flow rate and sometimes a direction arrow indicating water movement

Step 2 – Understand the Units

On this screen, in the bottom left corner, you will see one of the following units:

  • L/hr = litres per hour
  • m³/hr = cubic metres per hour (1 m³ = 1,000 litres)

Step 3 – Interpret the Reading

  • If the display shows 0.00 → No water is flowing
  • If the display shows any number above 0.00 → Water is flowing

Key Rule

If a flow rate is showing and no water is being used anywhere on the property, there is a leak.

How to Check for a Leak on a Digital Water Meter (Same as Blue Meter)

How to Check for a Leak on a Digital Rotary Water Meter

Digital rotary meters are the most common type of water meter, with numbers that rotate as water is used.

Understanding the Display

  • White numbers = Cubic metres (m³)
    • Used for billing
    • 1 m³ = 1,000 litres
  • Red numbers = Smaller volumes for accuracy
    (from left to right, increasing scale)
    • 0.1 litre (100 mL)
    • 1 litre
    • 10 litres
    • 100 litres

Method 1 – Quick Visual Check

  1. Ensure no water is being used anywhere on the property
  2. Watch the far-left red digit (0.1 litre / 100 mL)
  3. If this digit is moving, water is flowing → possible leak

Method 2 – Timed Test (More Accurate)

  1. Record or photograph the meter reading
  2. Ensure no water is used
    (including toilets, irrigation, appliances, etc.)
  3. Wait 10–30 minutes (or longer for very small leaks)
  4. Take a second reading

Result:

  • No change → No leak detected
  • Any increase → Water is being used → leak present

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