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With droughts and unreliable rainfall making water such a valuable resource, it's important to make sure you're using your water supplies as efficiently as possible. These simple tips can help you ensure that you're recognising costly leaks or other water-wasting situations as soon as possible.
Sign up for Customer Portal
We encourage customers connected to the Wimmera or Northern Mallee piplines to sign up for our Customer Portal, a free online system that allows you to monitor your water use and be alerted about potential leaks or high usage.
Check your water meter regularly
Ensure that your water meter hasn't been damaged or turned off. We recommend you record your meter readings periodically and monitor your water use. As well as checking for accuracy and working order, it can be useful to have an idea of your water usage habits.
Check the connection from the meter to the tank
Because the pipeline is under high pressure, a large volume of water will be lost if there's a leak in the pipe between the water meter and the tank. A leak will also reduce the amount of water supplied to the tank, and in extreme cases might result in an empty tank. Also check regularly to confirm that there is a flow of water into your tank.
Consider fitting a level gauge on your tank
A level gauge on your tank can help you keep track of your water supply. There are a few ways to do this, such as using a float indicator.
Be smart
- Don't use your troughs as a reliable indicator of tank water levels. The tank might actually be empty and the trough water is the last of the available supply.
- When there's no need for a water supply (e.g. when stock isn't in the area), switch off the meter. This way you can avoid the possibility of undetected leaks and water waste.
Don't forget about firefighting needs
- Make sure you have enough water readily available around your property and home to fight fires.
- Equip your tanks with a tee piece, a standard CFA fitting and extra valve at the outlet.
Further information...Designing your on-farm piped system If you're planning to install your on-farm piped system, we have tools and advice available to help you develop the best design for your property. |
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Your water meter can be used to check your water supply for leaks. This is important because if you have a leak, you're not only wasting water, but also money! You're paying for whatever the meter records your water usage as, so ensuring that your water supply is leak-free is the smart thing to do.
How to check for leaks
Luckily checking for leaks using your water meter is easy:
1. Turn off all taps and stop using any water-using fixtures at your house.
Common water-using fixtures include the toilet, shower, washing machine, dishwasher, evaporative cooler and garden irrigation systems or timers. Ensure that no one in your household or property is using water. Sometimes it can be a good idea to do this overnight, so as not to interfere in your daily activities.
2. Locate your water meter.
It's usually near the front of your property. If you're in a unit it may be near your front door or in a building service cupboard - ask your building management if you're not sure.
3. Record the reading of your meter.
Include the whole reading, including the red numbers. Learn how to read your water meter
4. Make sure that no water is used within your test timeframe.
This includes toilet flushing! Two hours is a good minimum test period for leak testing.
5. After your test period, reread your meter.
If there has been a change in your meter reading (i.e. a different set of numbers!) then you have leak!
The most common causes of leaks are:
- a leaking tap washer
- a faulty toilet cistern
- a breakage in underground or concealed water pipes
What to do if you have a water leak
If you have a water leak that can't be located by checking the toilet, taps and other water-using fixtures, you may have a break in your water pipes. We recommend that you arrange for a licensed plumber to inspect and repair.
Remember, wasting water wastes money too!
Further information . . .
Water meters are an essential monitoring tool for any water system. All properties linked to our water network have a water meter to record water usage.
Monitor your rural pipeline use with Customer Portal Customer Portal is a free online system that allows you to monitor your water use using your smart phone, tablet, laptop or home computer. It's available to our customers connected to the Wimmera Mallee or Northern Mallee pipelines. |
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All properties linked to our network have a meter to record water usage and in most cases they can be found near the front of the property.
Urban customers
The top row of numbers on your remote water meter shows your accumulative water use in cubic metres/kilolitres, and appears on your water bill for billing purposes.
The adjacent reading shows 236m3 which is 236 kilolitres or 236,000 litres. Your old meter showed this on the white dials.
The bottom row of numbers counts up to 999.99 litres, adding a kilolitre to the top row of numbers before clocking over to zero.
The last two digits are 0.01 of a litre. The above reading shows 830.35 litres used. Your old meter showed this on the red dials.
Rural customers
The black numbers from the left show the reading in kilolitres.
The red numbers indicate hundreds of litres, tens of litres and litres, respectively.
Use your meter to calculate your water costs
Calculating your water usage costs is relatively simple. The first thing you need to do is calculate your water usage!
1. See your previous water bill to check what your water meter reading was last time.
| Urban | Rural |
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2. Check the top row of numbers (urban) or black numbers (rural) on your current water meter reading.
3. Subtract your previous water meter reading from your current water meter reading for an indication of your current water usage.
Example:
Account |
Meter reading |
| Current | 8,879 kL |
| Previous | 8,795 kL |
| Water usage |
8,879 kL -8,795 kL = 84 kL |
Now that you have your water usage you can calculate cost by simply multiplying your water usage by the current volumetric charge rate.
The volumetric charge rate varies based on the quality of water that you are supplied with. To find out how much you pay per kilolitre of water, please refer to the second page of your GWMWater water account, or click here to see our tariffs and charges.
Further information...Check for leaks for using a water meter Your water meter can be used to check your water supply for leaks, saving you water and money! Call 1800 188 586, our 24-hour customer service line, if you have difficulties with your water service or notice a water leak. Find out more about urban remote meters We have over 30,000 urban remote water meters and more than 12,000 meters in GWMWater’s rural pipeline system supply area which are read via telemetry units which were installed across the Northern Mallee and Wimmera Mallee pipeline systems in 2016/17. If you think your water meter is faulty or damaged, contact us on 1800 188 586 any time. |
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GWMWater regulates trade waste because it can be harmful to our sewerage infrastructure. For this reason, we need our local businesses to apply to discharge trade waste and enter into a 'Trade Waste Agreement' with us so that we can monitor and ensure the health of the water system.
With a Trade Waste Agreement in place, your business can continue using our sewerage services without damaging the pipes or incurring financial penalties.
You'll need to apply in situations where there is:
- a new discharge
- a change of occupier or site operator
- a change in the nature or volume of existing discharge
How to apply
Follow the steps below to apply to discharge trade waste.
Trade waste categories
GWMWater assigns trade waste categories (from Category 0 to Category 4) based on your business and its trade waste production. Unless you're a 'Category 0' and have already been granted consent by default, you need to complete an application to discharge trade waste.
Read more about trade waste categories.
- Download the
Trade Waste Application form : Trade Waste Application form - Word Version - The form is quite detailed since we need specific and detailed information about your business and the type of waste you produce. Provide as much detail and accuracy as possible.
- Download the accompanying Trade Waste Application Guidelines to help you complete the application form.
- Get in touch if you have any issues or questions.
- Submit the form in person or via email.
We'll get back to you within 10 business days of receiving the application advising:
- whether the application has been accepted (possibly with amendments) or rejected; or
- that we need more time to consider your application; or
- that we need more information from you to make a decision.
Further information...
Information to help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
Details our objectives and management of trade waste.
Detailed information about trade waste policy and practices at GWMWater.
Trade Waste Customer Code: GWMWater's obligations toward our customers defined by the Essential Services Commission.
The acceptance criteria that applies to Category 3 and Category 4 businesses.
An example of the Trade Waste Agreement for Category 3 and Category 4 businesses. |
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Water costs vary depending on a number of factors and can change from year to year. These prices are current for the 2025/26 financial year, and are based on our 2023-28 Water Plan.
Schedule of Tariffs, Miscellaneous and Other Charges 2025/26
A summary of charges are provided below for easy reference for rural and urban customers.
Rural customer charges 2025/26
Urban customer water supply charges 2025/26
Urban customer wastewater charges 2025/26
New Customer Contribution - Negotiation Framework
How prices are determined
Prices are approved by the Essential Services Commission, the independent regulator for the water industry.
The current tariffs are outlined in the 'Essential Services Commission 2023, GWMWater Determination: 1 July 2023 - 30 June 2028, 23 June'.(June 2018). The prices support our 2023-28 Water Plan.
Water services are not subject to GST.
Your responsibility
- If you're an account holder, it's your responsibility to pay your water bill on time.
- Outstanding accounts that aren't paid on time may attract an interest charge.
- If you have any issues with your bill, get in touch with us before the due date for assistance.
Recreation Contribution Charge
The Recreation Contribution Charge benefits the community and provides discounted water to eligible sporting clubs, service clubs, schools and nominated recreation lake and weirs across our region.
Further information . . .
Paying your bill is straightforward and convenient. Choose the most suitable way to pay from several options.
Get help to pay your water bill Sometimes it can be hard to keep up with your payments. Don't be afraid to ask for help! At GWMWater we understand that things can sometimes get a bit tricky and we'll work with you to come to an arrangement. Several options may exist in how you may be assisted depending on your individual circumstances.
A range of concessions and grants are available to provide financial relief for GWMWater customers. If you're eligible, you may be offered reduced payments for your water services. |