Water metering policies and legislation
The legislative powers and provisions relating to metering licensed water use can be found in the Landscape South Australia (Water Management) Regulations 2020 and the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.
- All meters must comply with the South Australian Licensed Water Use Meter Specification.
- The South Australian Licensed Water Use Meter Policy sets out the State Government’s overarching position on metering licensed water use.
- The legislative powers and provisions relating to metering licensed water use can be found in the Landscape South Australia (Water Management) Regulations 2020 and the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.
From 1 July 2019, all new and replacement meters for licensed water use must comply with national metering standards.
This means that water meters must be:
- pattern approved
- validated by a certified person following installation - a list of current certified installers/validators can be found here
- maintained in accordance with national metering standards.
Meters installed before 1 July 2019 must comply with the relevant statewide requirements in the South Australian Licensed Water Use Meter Specification.
To assist you in understanding your metering obligations, please refer to the ‘User Guide to the South Australian Licensed Water Use Meter Specification’ and our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
South Australia reports annually on progress regarding implementing the national metering standards. View the report
National Metering Standards
The South Australian Government committed to implementing the National Metering Standards under the National Water Initiative and the Murray-Darling Basin Compliance Compact (a collaborative, joint commitment by the Australian Government and Basin States that aims to have a consistent approach to compliance and enforcement practices by governments across the Basin).
The National Metering Standards are outlined in the technical document Australian Standard: Meters for non-urban water supply AS4747.
