Faulty measurement devices

If you have water entitlement and are required to measure your water take, you are a holder of a relevant authorisation (HRA). You must ensure your measurement devices (for example a meter) operate correctly. If it stops working, you must report it to us.

What's new?

From 22 July 2024, the time you have to repair or replace a faulty device has changed to 30 business days.

Meters reported as faulty prior to 22 July 2024 still have 60 business days to be repaired or replaced.

What is a faulty measurement device?

The Water Regulation 2016 defines a faulty measurement device. Some examples of faults include:

a water meter that cannot
- be read, for example if the glass on the meter is frosted or broken or the meter dial or display is obscured
- record the volume of water taken in accordance with acceptable tolerances outlined in the Queensland interim water meter standard for non-urban metering (PDF, 470KB)
an installation that is leaking water or air that affects the flow of water through the meter (including leaks to connections or fittings to works to which the meter is attached)
tamper proof seals are broken or damaged
telemetry fitted to the meter is not functioning.

You may be committing an offence under the Water Regulation 2016 if you do not report a faulty measurement device to the department. That could lead to fines or other consequences.

Reporting a faulty measurement device

If you become aware of a fault, you must tell us within 3 business days. Contact your local business centre.

If we find that your measurement device is faulty (for example during a field inspection), we will give you a notice directing you to repair or replace it.

Requirement to repair or replace your measurement device

You can continue to take water through a faulty measurement device if you have notified the department that it is faulty.

You must record your water take using the alternative requirements in the Water use assessment report form (PDF, 1.7MB).

It is important to keep accurate records of the water taken, so that you can demonstrate that you are meeting your water entitlement responsibilities.

Once you become aware, or have been notified, that your measurement device is faulty, you have 30 business days to:

repair or replace your measurement device
organise a validation inspection if the device is a meter.

Once the meter has been repaired or replaced, you must provide us with a completed:

water use assessment report (PDF, 677KB) within 20 business days.

If you need more time to complete the repair or to submit the certification of the new device, contact your local business centre before the due date. Requests for an extension to this time will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Last reviewed: 22 Jul 2024
Last updated: 22 Jul 2024