You’ve spotted water pooling around the meter box out the front, and now you’re wondering whose problem it is. If your water meter is leaking, the answer depends on exactly where the water is coming from. Sydney Water looks after the meter itself. Most of the pipework on your property is yours. A quick check at the meter usually tells you which side you’re dealing with.
The short answer
Sydney Water owns and maintains the water main and the water meter at your property. If the meter itself is broken or damaged, Sydney Water fixes it. Sydney Water also says it may repair problems between its main and the meter, up to one metre inside your property boundary, for free.
Beyond that, the pipes and fittings that carry water to your house and taps are the property owner’s responsibility. So before you call anyone, it’s worth working out which side of the meter is wet.
The boundary in one picture
Picture the water’s path from the street to your kitchen tap:
- The water main, usually under the street or footpath. Sydney Water’s.
- The service pipe from the main to your meter. Sydney Water may repair this for free, up to one metre inside your property boundary.
- The water meter. Owned and maintained by Sydney Water.
- The meter tap, which turns the water to your property on and off.
- The pipes from the meter to your house, and everything inside. The property owner’s.
In short, the meter and Sydney Water’s network are theirs. The pipes running to your house are yours.
The stop-valve test that settles it
This simple check helps you narrow down where the leak is coming from:
- Take a photo of the meter dials before you start, so you have a record.
- Turn the meter tap off, only if it turns easily by hand. Never force a stuck or stiff tap.
- Watch the leak for a couple of minutes.
What it tells you:
- The leak stops: the water is likely escaping somewhere past the meter tap, on your side. That’s a job for a licensed plumber.
- Water keeps coming out around the meter or before the tap: the leak is likely at the meter or on Sydney Water’s side. Report it to Sydney Water.
If you can’t open the meter box, can’t turn the tap, or simply aren’t sure, don’t force anything. Report it, or call a plumber to take a look.
What Sydney Water fixes and how to report it
As at October 2026, Sydney Water’s guidance is:
- Broken or damaged meter: call Sydney Water on 13 20 90.
- Problems between Sydney Water’s main and the meter, up to one metre inside your property boundary, may be repaired for free.
- Meter tap repairs: Sydney Water also handles meter tap repairs, and offers an express service if you need one fixed urgently. Check the current details with Sydney Water when you call.
Sydney Water also asks owners to keep the area around the meter clear, at least 30 centimetres all around, so it can be read, repaired or replaced.
When it’s your side, and what a plumber does
If the leak is on the pipework between your meter and your house, or anywhere inside your property, it’s the owner’s responsibility to fix. Sydney Water’s advice is that if the leak is on your property, you’ll probably need a licensed plumber.
A plumber can typically:
- find the exact source of the leak, including underground leaks
- repair or replace leaking joints and fittings
- repair or replace the section of pipe running from the meter to the house
Our general plumbing services cover leak repairs across Sydney, including Western Sydney. For smaller leaks inside the house, our guide on how to fix a dripping tap shows when it’s a quick fix and when to call a plumber.
What a water meter leak means for your bill
Your meter records the water that passes through it. That means a leak on your side of the meter shows up as water use on your bill.
Sydney Water suggests a simple meter test:
- Note the numbers on the meter dials.
- Avoid using any water for a while.
- Check the dials again. If they’ve moved, you may have a leak.
If a licensed plumber or qualified technician finds and repairs a hidden leak on your property, Sydney Water says you can apply for a hidden leak allowance on your bill. As at October 2026, the conditions include:
- a licensed plumber or qualified technician repaired the leak
- you weren’t aware of the leak
- you maintained your water service
- the property hasn’t received another hidden leak allowance in the past five years
Sydney Water says it can’t offer the allowance for visible leaks. To apply, call Sydney Water on 13 20 92 (8am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays) or use the online form.
If water is pouring out right now
If water is gushing from the meter or the pipes nearby:
- Turn off the meter tap if it turns easily. Don’t force it.
- Keep people and pets clear of a sunken, muddy or collapsed meter box.
- Call for help. For the meter or Sydney Water’s side, call Sydney Water on 13 20 90. For your side, call an emergency plumber in Sydney.
If a pipe has burst inside the house, our guide to what to do when a pipe bursts walks through the first steps.
FAQs
Who is responsible for a leaking water meter in Sydney?
Sydney Water owns and maintains the water meter, so if the meter itself is broken or leaking, report it to Sydney Water on 13 20 90. Pipes and fittings running from the meter to your house are the property owner’s responsibility.
Does a leaking water meter affect my water bill?
Water that passes through your meter is recorded on it, so a leak on your side shows up as water use. If a licensed plumber finds and repairs a hidden leak, you may be able to apply for Sydney Water’s hidden leak allowance.
Who pays for the water wasted by a leak on Sydney Water’s side?
Water lost before it passes through your meter isn’t recorded on it. If you’re unsure where a leak is, or think your bill has been affected, contact Sydney Water on 13 20 92.
Is a leaking water meter an emergency?
It can be if water is gushing or the meter box is collapsing. Turn off the meter tap if it turns easily, keep people clear, and call Sydney Water or an emergency plumber depending on which side is leaking.
How do I know if the leak is on my side of the meter?
Turn off the meter tap if it turns easily, then watch the leak. If it stops, it’s likely on your side. If it continues at or before the meter, it’s likely Sydney Water’s side.
Tips
- Find your meter tap before you need it, and check that it turns.
- Photograph the meter dials before and after the test, so you have a record.
- Never force a stuck meter lid or tap. Report it instead.
- Check the meter box after heavy rain before assuming you have a leak, as pooled rainwater can look like one.
- Keep the area around the meter clear so it can be read and repaired.
Not sure whose side it’s on?
If the test hasn’t settled it, or the leak is clearly on your side, get a licensed plumber in Sydney to take a look. Sigma Plumbing can find the leak, fix your side, and tell you plainly if it’s one for Sydney Water instead.
