Apply for a leak allowance

Have you fixed a leak? You may qualify for a credit to your account

Before you apply for a leak allowance, have you ruled out other possible scenarios for your high bill?

You may not have expected a higher than usual water bill, so you'll no doubt be wondering what could have caused this spike. A higher than usual bill could be the result of a number of things, but the best place to start is by looking at your latest bill. We recommend you consider the following three scenarios before checking for a leak and applying for a leak allowance.

Higher than usual bill? Is this a catch-up bill?

Step 1: Is this a catch-up bill?

If you've had a number of estimated bills in a row and this is your first actual read in some time, that could explain why your bill is higher than usual. On your invoice, estimated meter reads are shown on the 'billed usage history' graph with an E, whereas actual reads are indicated with an A. You should expect a pattern of one estimate followed by one actual meter read.

If this does not appear to be a catchup bill, proceed to step 2.

Higher than usual bill? Are more people living in your home?

Step 2: Has your water usage changed?

Your bill may be higher if you have extra people living in your home, it's summer, or you've been using more appliances.

More people or greater use of appliances will often lead to a higher bill.

Click here if you'd like to get a free water audit, thanks to EcoMatters. For more on this step, click here or proceed to step 3.

Higher than usual bill? Could your meter have been misread?

Step 3: Has your meter been read correctly?

Although we take every precaution, we may have read your meter incorrectly. To check if this has happened, you will need to read your meter. Water meters are usually located near or just outside your property boundary. They are in a box made of wood, plastic, concrete or metal. Find and read your meter.

If the meter reading seems right, you may have a leak. If you haven't already checked for a leak, click here to find out how.

Apply for a leak allowance

A leak allowance is a partial credit for a water leak.

Important information:
We offer a discretionary leak allowance to encourage everyone to fix a leak as soon as they can – ideally within a week or two. This form must be completed by the property owner or authorised tenant/agent once the leak has been repaired. Please send your application within one year of the leak.

Please note, we approve allowances at our discretion. If we accept your application, you will receive a credit on your next bill.

*Required fields

1. Your details

Your relationship to the property*:

Customer type*:

Please note: Non-domestic customers will only receive an allowance for wastewater.

First Name*:

Last Name*:

Company (if applicable):

Email*:

Mobile*:

Phone:

Property owner's name (if different from above):

2. Property details

Property Address*:

Watercare Account number*:

Meter number affected by the leak*:

Number of residents at the property at the time of the water loss?*:

3. Water loss details

Who was the leak repaired by*:

Other - please provide more information:

Please attach documents showing details of the repair, e.g. plumber's invoice:

Allowed file types: Max (5 Mb limit) JPG, PNG or PDF files are accepted. We cannot accept .jfif files from mobile phones.

Please note - if you attach the incorrect file type you will receive an error page - please go back and change the file format.

Additional attachment:

Date water loss started (if known):

Date of repair or date water loss stopped*:

Please provide details of water loss including the location*:

4. How to take a meter reading

For more information on how to read your meter, please click here.

Current meter reading*:

Date the reading was taken*:

Have you been granted a leak allowance in the past two years*:

5. Terms and conditions

For the purposes of these terms and conditions, a leak is a crack, opening, hole or puncture through which water or sewage is unintentionally or wrongly escaping from any pipes, fittings or devices on your side of the point of supply.
We offer a leak allowance to encourage water efficiency and the timely repair of leaks. Leak allowances are granted at our discretion.
A leak allowance is not used to subsidise a leak left long-term or unrepaired.
You must pay any outstanding amount owing in full, within 21 days of the date on our response to your application.
If you have another leak within two years of receiving a leak allowance, you may apply for another allowance. You must include a plumber’s invoice. Note: this second allowance will be for excess wastewater only.
Non-domestic customers will only receive an allowance for wastewater.

6. Declaration

By submitting this form I declare the information on this form is true and accurate. I have the authority to act for this property. The leak or water loss was not caused as a result of a willful act and the leak has been repaired. I understand that my private plumbing is my responsibility. I understand the conditions of this declaration.

Privacy - We may use this information to process your application, update our records or help improve our services. We will not disclose it unless required by law. You have the right to access your information, and you can ask us to correct any errors.

Apply for a leak allowance

Before you apply for a leak allowance, have you ruled out other possible scenarios for your high bill?

Step 1: Is this a catch-up bill?

Step 2: Has your water usage changed?

Step 3: Has your meter been read correctly?

Apply for a leak allowance

1. Your details

2. Property details

3. Water loss details

4. How to take a meter reading

5. Terms and conditions

6. Declaration

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