Supporting a resilient and sustainable water future.
Central Coast Council has rolled out a trial smart water meter program across the Central Coast’s top 100 non-residential water customers. This is one of the water conservation actions we are undertaking, working alongside our community to support a resilient and sustainable long-term water future for the region, as outlined in Council’s Central Coast Water Security Plan.
The top 100 non-residential water customers account for fifty percent (50%) of total non-residential water usage, or approximately ten percent (10%) of total Council water demand for residential and non-residential customers.
Which businesses are included?
Council analysed the water consumption data of non-residential customers across the previous few years. Businesses with an average water usage above 10megalitres (ML)/year were identified to be part of the program.
What are smart meters?
The existing analogue water meter is converted to a smart meter with the installation of a smart metering device. This device helps to capture water usage data on an hourly basis and is available the next day via the ‘MyWater’ customer portal. This data provides greater understanding of property water usage and trends which will help to identify and fix water leaks.
By using a smart water meter, users can:
- Receive automated alerts of potential leaks by registering in the online MyWater portal and setting up leak notifications
- Develop strategies to reduce water usage
- Check water consumption in hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly increments.
Smart water meters enable Council to:
- Respond more effectively to water consumption enquiries
- Help understand the peak water demand for large customers for operational planning
- Work with large customers on water conservation initiatives.
Data protection
Council recognises that the management and collection of customer information is important. The smart meter only sends Council water use information, not personal information. Access to customers’ MyWater accounts is protected by their unique account username and password and is protected by security measures to ensure customers’ water use data is safe. Find out more about our Privacy Policy and Information Management.
Will this be available for other businesses or residents in the future?
The outcome of this trial phase will determine the future expansion of the initiative. Subscribe to our eNews for Water and Sewer updates.
We continuously update this section with new questions as they arise. For further assistance, please contact our Customer Service Centre (02) 4306 7900, available Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, or use the Report an Issue on our website.
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There will be no additional charge to you for supplying and installing the smart water meter infrastructure.
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These smart metering devices are solely for tracking water consumption and receiving leak notifications.
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By using a smart water meter, users can:
Receive automated alerts of potential leaks by registering in the online portal and setting up leak notifications.
Develop strategies to reduce their water usage.
Check their water consumption in hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly increments.
Smart water meters enable Council to:
Respond more effectively to water consumption enquiries.
Help in better demand forecasting and peak demand knowledge.
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All smart meters, like regular water meters are the responsibility of Council to manage, maintain and repair, as required. If you notice that your smart meter is damaged or the meter is leaking, please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 4306 7900 8:30-5:00pm Monday-Friday or via report an issue at centralcoastcouncil.custhelp.com
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A secure log-in and password is created for businesses when they register for the online MyWater portal, allowing access to the water consumption data for their property.
MyWater is managed by our smart meter service provider, Taggle Systems Private Limited. Council has a confidentiality agreement signed with Taggle system to protect any customer data that is shared by both the parties. Furthermore, Taggle System have adapted privacy policy obligated under the Privacy Act (Cth) (Privacy Act), the 3 Australia Privacy Principles (which deal with the collection, management, and disclosure of your personal information), the Privacy Act’s notifiable data breach scheme and, indeed, the various requirements of state privacy legislation. For more information, read Council and Taggle System Privacy Policies; Taggle System Privacy Policy and Central Coast Council Private Policy.
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No personal data is transmitted from your smart water meter. The data that is transmitted only includes the water meter serial number, timestamp, and meter reading (i.e. total amount of water used in kiloliters).
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The data from the smart water meter is transmitted as an encrypted radio signal. The radio signal transmitted from smart meters is very small; it is 30 times weaker than the signal transmitted by your mobile phone.
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Property owners with smart meters are strongly encouraged to register in MyWater portal and set up leak notifications to ensure they receive leak alerts to any potential leaks on their property.
Although Council has access to the water data, the property owners have a better understanding of water use at their properties. Based on individual water usage patterns, minimum thresholds can be set up in MyWater portal that will trigger leak alerts from the users.
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The smart meter is unable to locate where the leak is on a property or whether the leak is one leak or multiple. The smart meter simply detects that there is a continuous flow more than set threshold by user through the meter and cannot identify if the leak is a dripping tap or concealed leak.
Council recommends contacting a licensed plumber who can assist in locating the potential leak/s.