Guide to water metering in Class B developments

• Unit Metering Class B FAQs
• Unit Metering for Class A and Class B development
• Unit Metering Class B Standards Update
• Responsibilities for supply, ownership and maintenance
• Handling and transportation of meters

The following definitions are provided as a guide to help under individual metering arrangements that are allowable in Class B developments. Please remember to always refer to the standards and rules for greater detail on the requirements.  

Master meter

A master meter measures all water consumption to the block. The master meter is supplied directly from Icon Waters Potable water network. No branches or offtakes are allowed before the master meter. The master meter is owned, read for billing purposes and maintained by Icon Water.

Sub-meter  

Sub-meters measure water consumption to a specific unit or purpose on the block. Water consumed by an individual unit will be measured by the master meter and the specific sub-meter for that unit. Sub-meters are installed downstream of the master meter and are owned, read for billing purposes and maintained by Icon Water.

Private meter  

A private meter is a water meter installed within the block for internal monitoring, owned by the block owner or occupants. A private meter must be installed downstream of the sub-meter in a multi-unit arrangement, or downstream of the master meter where only one meter feeds the block. The installation, maintenance, and reading of the private meter is the block owner's responsibility. Icon Water will not read, maintain or repair a private meter. 

Master meters must be located at the property boundary.

Sub-meters may be installed below ground in an approved sub-meter box. If more than ten sub-meters exist, a cabinet assembly must be used. STD-SPE-M-006 explains the requirements in more detail.

Master and sub-meter installations must comply with the minimum standard clearances and maintain reasonable access for reading and maintenance purposes.  

On completion of installation, all works must be inspected by Icon Water and deemed to be compliant with Icon Water Standards, before final approval is granted.

Table 1 below provides a summary of sub-metering options for Water Metering of Class B with the associated Icon Water drawing references.  

Table 1: Options for Class B sub-metering  

Option description	Up to six sub-meters	Up to ten sub-meters	More than ten sub-meters	Drawing Reference
Sub-meters installed in standard meter box, in manifold layout (at boundary)				SD-3351 SD-3352 SD-3354 SD-3355
Sub-meters installed in standard meter box (outside individual units)				SD-3355 SD-3357
Sub-meters installed in cabinet (at boundary)				SD-3353 SD-3356
Sub-meters installed in cabinets (at boundary and at internal intervals)				SD-3356 SD-3358

Any development with 3 or more individual units may have a master meter and individual sub-meters. The only exception is for a Class B unit development where ALL units have direct access to the public road, and direct access to the utilities network. In this instance, one meter per unit may be installed, servicing each unit directly from Icon Waters main (no sub-meters required). If a body corporate meter is required for the complex, this would also be installed directly to Icon Waters main. Please note that all units must be unit titled to qualify for individual unit metering.

Dual occupancies shall not be sub-metered and shall have two separate connections to the water network (one for each dwelling) refer to SD-3350.

Secondary residences, such as granny flats, are deemed to be a single lease, which means that separate servicing and metering is usually not required. However, if desired, an owner can request a separate independent service and water meter installation from Icon Water at their own expense.

Secondary residences that require a sub-meter, i.e. a connection that does not have a dedicated service line, are to be privately owned and monitored by the owner of the premises.

Common property areas (such as gardens, recreation facilities and wash down bays) must be serviced through a single Body Corporate meter. This allows the Body Corporate to calculate the common area usage and divide the charge between all occupants. Only one body corporate, common area sub-meter will be approved by Icon Water.

Note: there shall be no unmetered branch lines downstream of an Icon Water master meter.

Icon Water owns the master water meter and all pipework and fittings upstream of that meter. Icon Water owns the sub-meters and/or Body Corporate meters installed downstream of the master meter.

The customer owns the pipework and fittings downstream of the master meter, as well as all pits and/or cabinets housing the master and sub water meters. The customer also owns any private meters that may be installed.

Figure 1: Asset ownership for sub-metering arrangements 

The leaseholder is responsible for:

• Maintaining the condition of the master and sub-meter enclosure(s) to ensure that meters are adequately protected and accessible.
• Pipework and fittings connecting the master meter to the sub-meters.
• Any fittings and pipework located upstream or downstream of the sub-meters, including the isolation valves and unions on either side of the meters.
• Any leakage downstream of Icon Water’s master meter.
• Leakage occurring at the connection point of the flange or union to a sub-meter.

Sub-meters are to be installed using only components found within Icon Waters Approved Product List for Sub-metering arrangements. 

Developers and plumbers will need to purchase approved sub-meter components (meter pits and/or cabinet bracket connection kits) from reputable plumbing outlets. 

Sub-metering arrangements for a proposed construction are applied for as part of Icon Water’s Development Application process. Once the metering arrangements have been approved by Icon Water’s Developer Services team, water meters can be applied for via the online Water Meter Request process.