The findings come from Unitywater's Digital Metering Program, which uses secure digital devices to provide daily water use data and help detect leaks sooner, save water, and save unnecessary cost for customers.
Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Experience, Katherine Gee, said the results highlighted the significant customer benefits of digital metering.
"For many customers, a hidden leak isn't something they'd discover until they received an unexpectedly high water bill," Ms Gee said.
“Since we started piloting digital metering our data shows 10.3% of customers experience a hidden leak,” she said.
“That’s more than one in 10 properties and demonstrates the real value and customer benefit of these devices.”
Unitywater crews will install more than 4,600 digital water meters across Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Noosa in October to help customers identify hidden leaks.
Nearly 2,300 of those will be installed across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa in Bli Bli, Cooran, Cooroibah, Eumundi, Forest Glen, Kunda Park, Palmwoods, Pomona, Tewantin and Yandina.
More than 2,300 of those will be installed in Moreton Bay in Clontarf, Dayboro, Ferny Hills, Kippa Ring, Margate, Morayfield, Strathpine, Woodford and Woody Point.
Ms Gee said since 2021 through to August 2026, the total number of households with digital meters to experience a hidden leak had reached 6,613, which confirmed the purpose and benefit of the digital devices to pick up leaks that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.
“This technology means we can notify customers sooner of potential leaks at their property to help them save money in lost water that would otherwise appear on their water bill,” she said.
“As well as higher water bills, hidden leaks can go unnoticed for a long time and cause significant property damage. These digital devices send us daily water use data so we can contact customers quickly if we notice unusual water use at their property which could indicate a leak.”
Ms Gee said if Unitywater detected unusual continuous use over a 48-hour period, they would notify customers via SMS, email or post to encourage them to contact a plumber to find the leak.
“We know how common hidden leaks are and there are still many of our customers who are yet to receive a digital water meter so it’s so important to check for them regularly,” Ms Gee said.
Customers scheduled to receive a digital meter in the next six months will receive a letter from Unitywater followed by a notice approximately five to 10 days before their installation window. They don’t need to be home for the upgrade, which takes between five minutes to one hour.
Ms Gee said there was no additional fee for customers if they received the digital meter as per Unitywater’s schedule, however those customers wishing to have an early upgrade could opt-in which may incur an additional fee.
For more information or to register your interest in an early upgrade visit our Digital Metering Program page.
How to check for leaks in three easy steps (if you have a mechanical water meter):
1. Turn off all your water-using appliances
2. Take a photo of your water meter numbers (or write it down), including the red numbers. Make sure you leave the water meter tap on.
3. Check your meter after at least one hour. Remember, don’t use any water on your property during this time. If the numbers have changed, you may have a leak.
