Results back on water meter tests

Date: Tuesday, 18th August 2009

Independent tests on six water meters from the Northern Beaches have found five to be working properly and one returning inaccurate readings.

Townsville Water sent four meters from Eungella Court for testing at the Brisbane Water Meter Testing Workshop and two meters at the request of residents from Shutehaven Crt, Bushland Beach and Reef St, Saunders Beach in response to concerns over excess water bills.

Townsville Water director Ken Diehm said today excess water charges will be wound back for one property (26 Eungella Court), from which the faulty meter was removed.

“Meters are put through rigorous water flow testing and then stripped down and inspected,” Mr Diehm said.

“Five of the meters from the Northern Beaches came through the full round of tests in accurate, working order.

“The other meter showed that it was failing to read at very low pressures, under reading at higher pressures and reading above acceptable levels at mid range pressure.

“When the meter was stripped down a small broken internal component was found and this was the most likely cause of the fluctuation in readings.

“The test results indicate that the meter could well have been reading in favour of the resident during low and extremely high pressure use but because of the variance in the results the council will do the right thing and work with the owners to wind back the charges.

“Residents will not be charged for water they do not use.

“The fault in the Eungella Court meter is extremely rare. In the past five years we’ve only had one meter test faulty.

“Charges will stand for the other properties where all the meters were found to be working properly. The owners will be provided with the full results of the tests.

“Water meters are required to have a high level of accuracy and residents can apply to have them tested at any time.

“Council provides a heavily subsidised charge of $185, which is only part of the overall cost to remove, replace and send meters away for testing.

“The fee is refunded if a meter is proven faulty and the council then works with the resident to wind back the water charges.”

The council also has an annual program to replace ageing water meters.