The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has made important updates to the non-urban metering rules in the Water Management (General) Regulation 2018.
The amendments incorporate key recommendations from the review of the non-urban metering framework, streamlining measurement requirements and adjusting compliance deadlines to speed up the metering rollout.
The new metering rules
The new metering rules require water users to assess their compliance requirements using their total entitlement and work size.
Large water users must comply with the highest metering standards whilst smaller water users now have less prescriptive metering requirements. Coastal water users have also been given an extension for compliance.
The following table outlines how the rules apply to you:
Works | Measurement requirements | Compliance date |
All surface water pumps ≥500mm |
| Must already be compliant. |
All works nominated by total entitlement ≥100ML, unless otherwise exempt* |
| Inland water users must already be compliant. Coastal water users need to comply by 1 December 2026** |
All works nominated by total entitlements of >15 and <100ML, unless otherwise exempt* |
| Need to comply by 1 December 2027 or by the work approval renewal, whichever is later |
Pumps and bores below the size-based thresholds Works nominated by total entitlement ≤15ML (unless a surface water pump ≥500mm) |
| Not applicable |
Works not taking licensed water (unintended, inactive) Works not nominated by licensed water entitlements |
| Not applicable |
*If there is only 1 bore or pump on the property: bores less than 200mm and surface water pumps less than 100mm are exempt.
**Work approval holders with a pre-existing metering condition MW2452-00001 should already have a meter complying with AS4747 in place.
For more information about your compliance date, visit the department's website.
Do you need to comply?
You may need to comply if you have:
- water supply works such as a pump, bore, well, or spear point, that
- can be fitted with a meter, and
- is licenced to take water from rivers and groundwater.
The rules are being rolled out in stages to allow people time to comply. However, if you install a new meter before your rollout date, that meter must comply with the new rules.
Our compliance approach
We are a risk-based regulator. We focus on critical areas to ensure our efforts have a high impact and reduce harm to our water sources. For the rollout of the metering rules, our areas of focus are:
- ensuring high-volume, active works are compliant
- educating water users about the rules and their obligations before their compliance deadlines
- monitoring and enforcing compliance amongst groups whose deadline has passed.
Learn more about our areas of focus and how we monitor and enforce metering rules.
Alternative pathways to compliance
We expect all water users to comply before their deadline.
A failure to comply with the metering rules may be a criminal offence.
We are a firm but fair regulator and will assess each situation on a case-by-case basis.
We recognise a handful of alternative pathways to compliance, including:
- Inactive works – People who don't use their pumps anymore but might want to later can apply to make them inactive on WaterNSW's website
- Keeping an existing meter – to keep a meter that was installed before 1 April 2019 but isn't pattern-approved, you need a manufacturer certificate. Alternatively, a meter installer can field test and verify its accuracy. In both cases, a meter installer must validate the installation and fit the meter with a smart device.
- Faulty meters – if your meter or smart device doesn't work after it's installed, report it to WaterNSW using the online S91i form
- Connectivity issues – if a meter installer can't set up a local smart device, water users can apply for an exemption. They need to notify the department using the correct form. The department's telemetry coverage tool may help you check your eligibility for an exemption.
How to find a meter installer
A certified meter installer can help you get into compliance. Visit Irrigation Australia to find one today.
If you have questions about:
- your works approval, conditions or to amend your approval — contact WaterNSW on 1300 662 077 or email Customer.Helpdesk@waternsw.com.au
- non-urban metering rules — contact the department on 1300 081 047 or email reform@dpie.nsw.gov.au.