How to relocate a water meter

Before Water Corporation relocates your meter you will need to pay for a licensed plumber to relocate all internal pipework. All plumbing work carried out in WA must be completed by a licensed plumber.

Water Corporation will not be able to relocate your water meter if your internal pipework has not been relocated.

Below we've outlined the steps you will need to take and the work your plumber and Water Corporation will complete.

Customer	Submit water meter relocation application to Water Corporation via BuilderNet. Pay water meter relocation application fees so that a work order can be generated by Water Corporation. Engage a licensed plumber to relocate internal pipework and maintain the existing service. Call Water Corporation on 13 13 95 to advise when internal pipework has been relocated to have the meter relocation application taken off hold.
Plumber	Relocate the internal pipework to a location agreed with you. Maintain existing service - e.g. install a temporary water service line between the meter bend at the new water meter location, back to the existing meter, to ensure the continuation of supply prior to the relocation of the water meter by Water Corporation. Please visit the Department of Mines, Industry Regulations and Safety website for technical questions regarding regulated plumbing or call the Plumbers Technical Advice Line on 1300 360 897.
Water Corporation	We will process the water meter relocation application and put it on hold. Once we receive payment and confirmation internal plumbing has been relocated by a licensed plumber, we will take it off hold. Complete water meter relocation within 10 working days of when the application is taken off hold.

Water Corporation will not be on site when the plumber relocates internal pipework. This is because the water meter relocation job cannot be scheduled until you have confirmed your internal plumbing has been relocated to the new location.

Your plumber will need to maintain your water supply by installing a temporary water service line from the new water meter location back to the existing water meter, to allow for a continuation of supply. This temporary water service line will be removed when Water Corporation attends to relocate the water meter.

For more information on internal plumbing please visit Department of Mines, Industry Regulations and Safety website or call the Plumbers Technical Advice Line on 1300 360 897.

Diagram showing which parts of the meter assembly Water Corporation and the customer is responsible for.

This diagram shows which parts of the meter assembly Water Corporation is responsible for. Any work required on the customer's side of the meter must be done by a licensed plumber.

Things to consider

Fees and charges

To ensure Water Corporation is able to relocate your water meter in the location you have selected we have created a list to help you consider the fees, clearances and requirements that may apply to your property.

Please consider fees and charges when choosing your new meter location.

Moving your meter less than 500mm to the left or right of the current location incurs a lower fee than moving your meter further away.
If the new position is below ground level a Water Corporation approved box is required. Extra fees for the box apply.

Clearance requirements for the new meter location

Please ensure the following clearance requirements are met:

At least 300mm clearance all the way around the new water meter position.
At least 1200mm clearance above the new water meter position.
At least 2m clearance from a transformer box.
The new water meter position is not more than 1.5m from the front boundary line.
The plumbers bend is at least 100-150mm above the finished ground level (for above ground water meters).
The plumbers bend is at least 200mm below the top level of the meter box lid (for below ground water meters.)
The new location is free of any hazards or obstructions, bushes, trees, retaining walls and pipework is not to be encased with brick paving or concrete.

The new position pipework has 1m of copper from the plumbers bend free from any valves or branching connections.

The below diagram shows how a 20mm water meter and service line should be positioned in relation to the front boundary line and the finished ground level. Please note the clearances required. The new location will need to have these minimum clearances when relocating your water meter.

Meter clearance diagram

The clearances shown are required to facilitate meter reading and/or replacement when required. This is a requirement under the Water Services Regulations 2013.

Additional requirements

A Western Australian Services (WAS) lock is fitted if the new water meter position is behind a located gate/fence to allow 24 hours access.
If the new position is to be outside the property boundary (within the verge), written permission must first be obtained from your local shire/council and provided to Water Corporation with your application. The water meter must be lowered into a meter box at your expense.
If the new location is required to be underground you need a meter box to protect the water meter. Please view further information on meter box installation for conditions and dimensions.
Due to electrical risks we are prevented from installing your water meter within 500 mm from the centre of a power dome. Please refer to our fact sheet about meter relocations near power domes.
If the property is opposite a T junction relocation options may be limited. Please contact us via the enquiry form for further assistance.

Before you apply

Please ensure you have:

Understood the fees and charges
Understood the clearance requirements and additional requirements
Noted the distance your meter is to be raised or lowered above the current ground level as this information must be supplied with your application.
Ensured that your water meter will not be installed within 500 mm from the centre of a power dome
If the new location is outside the property boundary you have obtained permission from the local council or shire first and have this ready to attach to your application.

How to apply

Once your application has been processed, we will email you an invoice outlining the relevant fees. Once these fees have been paid we will generate a work order.

How long will it take?

Once you have called us on 13 13 95 to confirm that your internal plumbing has been relocated and you are ready for the work to start, we will endeavour to have the water meter relocation completed within 10 working days.