Protect your water meter from frost

CENTRAL Highlands Water staff are urging the community to protect water meters from frost this winter.

Frosts can freeze or burst water meters, and to prevent it people are being encouraged to cover their water meter with a wooden or foam box, or wrap it in a thick cloth such as old carpet, a towel, or a hessian sack.

Growing small, soft shrubs around a water meter can also protect it from frost although plants must not prevent access to it.

“With winter upon us we remind the community of the impact that frosts can have on their water meter,” a Central Highlands Water spokesperson said.

“A meter that freezes stops water from reaching your household, delaying that all-important morning coffee or shower, until your meter defrosts.

“Even more challenging is a frozen meter bursting and requiring repair; that may take a little longer than normal on a busy frosty morning, if there is increased demand.”

A frozen water meter can take as long as three hours to defrost.

To speed up the defrosting time, pour room temperature water over the meter. It is important not to pour boiling water over the meter as that can cause it to burst.

To report a fault or outage, call 1800 061 514.