It's important that owners in both strata and non-strata multi-level buildings are billed fairly for individual water use. Find out what's required if you're installing meters in a multi-level building.
Multi-level building metering rules
For most multi-level buildings built since 2014, it is:
- required to install plumbing for a meter on each unit
- required to install a meter for each unit in a strata subdivided building
- optional to install a meter for each unit in a non-strata subdivided building.
Individual meters must be installed in the common area, not inside each unit. This allows us to access them easily.
Our Water meters policy states which new multi-level buildings need meters. You'll find the requirements in more detail our Multi-level individual metering guide.
Required individual metering
It's required for individual meters to be installed in:
- new residential buildings
- new mixed developments (buildings with both residential and retail/commercial customers)
- new serviced apartments
- new commercial strata subdivided buildings.
This ensures that charges for water use are fairer for unit owners. Installation of individual meters is now a condition for connecting to our systems.
This condition applies to any Section 73 Compliance Certificate applications made after 1 September 2014. Depending on the development, you'll find this condition in the:
- Notice of Requirements letter
- complying Section 73 Certificate development letter.
Optional individual metering
It's optional for individual meters to be installed in an existing building or where we've specified they aren't required. If the choice is to install individual meters, they must comply with our Multi-level individual metering guide.
Before starting installation:
- The plumber or hydraulic consultant should make sure the building design and plumbing arrangements meet our requirements.
- The plumber or hydraulic consultant should talk to one of our accredited metering suppliers about the metering requirements.
- The property owner should contact us to understand the impacts on residents' future water bills.
For advice about your metering proposal, email our meters team at mlimexternal@sydneywater.com.au. Please include:
- property address
- number of units
- building use
- property type.
Plumbing considerations
As a licensed plumber or hydraulic contractor, make sure you follow this checklist:
- Install a single water inlet and plumbing for each unit. The inlet must not serve more than one unit.
- Install plumbing for the meters in the common area, not inside each unit. This will allow us to access them easily.
- Allow a space and connect power for a data logger if necessary.
Only licensed plumbers or hydraulic contractors can install individual meters in multi-level buildings.
Accredited meter suppliers
We don't supply or install meters for multi-level buildings. You must get them from our accredited meter suppliers:
- Enware Australia Pty Ltd
Metering team
metering@enware.com.au
1300 369 273 - Itron Australasia Pty Ltd
Itron MLIM team
mlimsydney@itron.com
02 8235 5788
How individual metering affects bills
Individual unit owners will have their own water usage charge on their water bill. Any common water use (from centralised hot water systems, pools, garden and fire hose reels) will be included on the Owners Corporation water bill.
- Residential properties
Multi-level individual metering allows residential properties to pay for the water they use. It does not affect their service charges. - Business properties
If you have a business property, the charges on your bill may change if a meter is installed on each unit. Find out more about business pricing.