Caboolture residents are urged to check their water meters regularly as Unitywater reveals that meter readers cannot access about 30 properties daily, leading to estimated bills and potential “bill shock” for customers.
Meter Reading Challenges
Unitywater, the local water utility, says that meter readers often face obstacles such as overgrown gardens, locked premises, and unrestrained dogs, preventing them from accurately recording water usage. According to Katherine Gee, executive manager of customer experience at Unitywater, Caboolture is one of the top locations where these “skipped reads” occur.
When a meter cannot be read, Unitywater estimates the bill based on the property’s previous water usage. This can be problematic, as a change in water consumption, such as a leak, may go unnoticed and result in a surprisingly high bill when an actual reading is eventually taken.
Hidden Leaks and High Costs
Ms Gee explained that identifying hidden leaks early helps to avoid bill shock and the associated expense. She highlighted a case where a homeowner had an undetected leak under their driveway. This resulted in a plumbing bill of $1,300 and a water bill of $250 to $8,800. She emphasised that the sooner a customer can identify a leak, the lower the bill increase.
Checking for Leaks and Ensuring Access
Unitywater recommends checking for leaks every two weeks. One way to do this is to look at your water meter. You might leak if the numbers are spinning when you’re not using any water. Residents can also help by ensuring their water meters are easily accessible. Keeping the area around the meter clear of obstructions like plants and dirt will allow meter readers to do their job correctly.
These simple steps can help Caboolture residents avoid unexpected costs and contribute to water conservation efforts. For more information on how to check for leaks, visit www.unitywater.com/leaks.
Published Date 03-January-2025
