Installation of Sub-Meters
If a developer chooses to not install sub-meters at the development stage, then future owners may apply to
TasWater, through a Certificate for Certifiable Work, to have sub-meters installed, to be read and billed by
TasWater. This application will need to be in conjunction with all other owners of the strata scheme, with
unanimous agreement (i.e. “one-in all-in”).
The owner(s) of the property will be responsible for the cost to for TasWater to install the sub-meters to
TasWater approved installation standards, including any common property if required.
Strata
Sub-metering may be applied to strata title properties – multi owners. There must be a master boundary meter
which may have multiple sub meters. The sub meter service charge and consumption is charged to the individual
lots within the strata. The additional water usage from the master (less the sum of the sub meters) is
proportioned to the individual properties within the strata. Other arrangements may be made by the Body
Corporate with TasWater.
Non- Strata
For multi-unit developments under one entitlement (one owner) the property owner may request TasWater to
read and bill the sub-meters if the metering arrangement (including type of meters) meets all TasWater
requirements. In such instances, TasWater will own, read and bill the sub-meters as with any other sub-metering
arrangement.
Water Meter Positioning
The positioning of Water Meters shall generally be as follows:



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
The meter assembly shall be installed at the property boundary where the water service enters. The
only exception to this is where approval has been given for each lot/unit to have an independent
water service connected to TasWater’s service/main and there is no common usage. This is
commonly referred to as “meters connected to a manifold”.
The Water Meter assembly must be within two meters of the title boundary that abuts the water
main.
The Water Meter assembly must be fitted at right angles to the water main, in line with the tapping.
(Alteration to this configuration is subject to approval by TasWater).
Above ground Water Meter assemblies must be fully supported with minimum ground clearance of
150mm, and should be not greater than 300mm from finished ground level to the base of the water
meter assembly (where the Boundary Backflow Containment Device is a Reduced Pressure Zone type,
a minimum 300mm to the device vent is required).
Below ground Water Meter assemblies must be fully supported with a minimum clearance of 150mm
between the base of the pit and base of the water meter assembly.
o Pits must be self-draining. Pit lid construction is to be fabricated from a non-metallic product
and should meet trafficable load rating as per AS 3996.
The water meter assembly must not be encased in concrete surrounds.
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Water Meters must be readily accessible for reading, maintenance and replacement.
Water meters can be installed in utility rooms or meter cabinets located within a common access area
and are readily accessible, subject to TasWater’s approval.
The positioning of Sub-Meters shall generally be as follows:
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The unit number must be indicated or tagged on the service pipe near the water meter so that it is
clearly visible.
AMR water meters can be installed inside secured areas of main buildings provided that the following
conditions are met:
o Sub-meters are installed in areas that provide optimum line of site advantage from closest
street frontage to sub-meter installation point.
o Provide for unfettered access to enable reading, testing, inspection, maintenance and
exchange without impediment and shall be kept clear of obstructions at all times.
o In high rise or vertical complexes the sub-meters may be located in a purpose designed meter
utility room/compound or service duct/meter box which is located in a common area on each
floor. (Refer Figure 7)
o Sub-Meters that are installed in approved cupboards or areas where water leakage may
cause damage or nuisance must be fitted with stop valves on the Upstream and Downstream
side of the meter.
o Sub-Meter cupboards or areas where water leakage may cause damage or nuisance must be
fitted with a drain to allow free drainage of and water spillage or leakage.
o Where it is proposed that meters are installed within a fire hose reel cabinet the design shall
comply with AS/NZ 1221 ensuring that the meter/assemblies do not interfere with the
operation of the hose reel in an emergency.
o Subject to TasWater’s approval, water meters are to be strategically located to allow
optimum performance of radio signal so that meters can be read remotely from maximum
distances.
o Where sub-meters are installed, it is the customers’ responsibility to maintain access
accessibility and ensure that the sub-meter installation is maintained to TasWater installation
standards in relation to location and depth. This is particularly important if the customer
intends landscaping, concreting or undertaking any other land improvements.
Water meter/s must not be located:
o Inside of units/apartments
o Near or in an electrical cabinet or electrical control room.
o Within ceiling cavities of common access areas
o Provision for the water meters must be:
 No less than 150mm above the finished floor level
 No greater than 1.6m above the finished floor level where the water meters can be
accessed unassisted by a ladder or other equipment (unless otherwise approved by
the relevant Water Business in writing)
 With a minimum clearance above the centre of each pipe of 250mm
June 2015
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
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With a minimum clearance of 150mm between the centre of each pipe and any wall
or door
Separate isolating valves adjacent to each water meter installation in accordance with
AS/NZS3500 must be provided noting that an additional isolating valve is required on
the outlet side of water meters where removal of the water meter may result in
water damage to the building or excessive water wastage.
June 2015
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1. FIGURE 1 – WATER METER MANIFOLD CONNECTION
FIGURE 1.
WATER METER MANIFOLD CONNECTION
VERTICAL STRATA
2 SOUTHERN STREET
UNIT 3
UNIT 4
UNIT 2
UNIT 1
PRIVATE
WATER SERVICE PIPES
PRIVATE
WATER SERVICE PIPES
UNITS 1,2,3 & 4
WATER METERS
DRIVEWAY
NATURE STRIP
1
3
2
4
WATER METERS
APPROVED MANIFOLD
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION
FOOTPATH
TASWATER, WATER MAIN
June 2015
Page 4 of 9
2. FIGURE 2 – WATER METER MANIFOLD CONNECTION
FIGURE 2.
WATER METER MANIFOLD CONNECION
HORIZONTAL STRATA
2 SOUTHERN STREET
UNIT 2.
UNIT 3.
UNIT 3 PRIVATE
WATER SERVICE PIPE
UNIT 4 PRIVATE
WATER SERVICE PIPE
UNIT 1.
UNIT 4.
UNIT 1 PRIVATE
WATER SERVICE PIPE
UNIT 1 PRIVATE
WATER SERVICE PIPE
UNITS 1,2,3 & 4
WATER METERS
DRIVEWAY
NATURE STRIP
1
2
3
4
.
.
.
.
APPROVED MANIFOLD
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION
FOOTPATH
TASWATER, WATER MAIN
June 2015
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3.
FIGURE 3 – BOUNDARY METER
FIGURE 3.
HORIZONTAL STRATA – EXISTING PROPERTIES
(For properties developed pre 1 July 2009)
2 SOUTHERN STREET
UNIT 1.
UNIT 2.
COMMON PRIVATE
WATER SERVICE PIPE
MASTER METER
DRIVEWAY
NATURE STRIP
TASWATER,
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION
FOOTPATH
TASWATER, WATER MAIN
June 2015
Page 6 of 9
4. FIGURE 4 – SUB-METERING WITH COMMON PROPERTY – SUB METER C IS OPTIONAL
FIGURE 4.
SUB-METERING, Horizontal Strata and common property
2 SOUTHERN STREET
CAR
WASH
AREA
CAR WASH
SUB-METER
C
UNIT 2.
.
UNIT 3.
UNIT 2
SUB-METER
2
3
.
.
UNIT 3
SUB-METER
COMMON PRIVATE
WATER SERVICE PIPE
UNIT 1.
UNIT 1
SUB-METER
UNIT 4.
1
4
.
.
UNIT 4
SUB-METER
MASTER METER
DRIVEWAY
NATURE STRIP
TASWATER
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION
FOOTPATH
TASWATER, WATER MAIN
June 2015
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5.
FIGURE 5 – BOUNDARY METER ONLY
FIGURE 5.
BOUNDARY METER, Horizontal Strata and common
property (For properties developed pre 1 July 2009)
2 SOUTHERN STREET
CAR
WASH
AREA
UNIT 2.
UNIT 3.
COMMON PRIVATE
WATER SERVICE PIPE
UNIT 1.
UNIT 4.
MASTER METER
DRIVEWAY
NATURE STRIP
TASWATER
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION
FOOTPATH
TASWATER, WATER MAIN
June 2015
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6. FIGURE 6 - SUB-METERING INCLUDING FIRE MAIN
FIGURE 6.
SUB-METERING, COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
HORIZONTAL STRATA including FIRE MAIN
FIRE HYDRANT
UNIT 4
SUB-METER 4
UNIT 3
SUB-METER 3
FIRE MAIN
FIRE HOSE REEL
UNIT 2
SUB-METER 2
COMMON PRIVATE WATER SERVICE
2 SOUTHERN STREET
UNIT 1
SUB-METER 1
DETECTOR CHECK WITH
METERED BY-PASS
DRIVEWAY
NATURE STRIP
MASTER METER
TASWATER
WATER SERVICE CONNECTION
FOOTPATH
TASWATER, WATER MAIN
June 2015
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