Water Meter Saving Calculator
Compare a fixed unmetered water charge against metered usage based on occupants and daily consumption, including standing charges.
💼 Are you a real estate agent or broker? Send this calculator to your buyers on your own branded listing page — every enquiry comes straight to your WhatsApp. Create free agent page →Where water can be charged either on a fixed basis or by meter, the answer turns almost entirely on how many people live in the property relative to its size. A single person in a large house usually saves substantially; a family in a small one frequently does not.
The arithmetic is straightforward once the two rates are separated: water supply and wastewater are normally charged per unit, with a standing charge on top.
The calculation
Annual usage in cubic metres = people × litres per person per day × 365 ÷ 1000. Multiply by the combined water and wastewater rate, add the standing charge, and compare against the fixed unmetered charge.
Worked example
Three people using 140 litres a day each consume 153.3 cubic metres a year. At 2.10 for water and 1.60 for wastewater that is 567, plus a 60 standing charge — 627 against a 480 fixed charge, so a meter would cost about 147 more. The same property with one occupant would use 51.1 cubic metres and cost 249, saving 231.
Measure your own usage first
The 140 litre figure is a common average and individual households vary enormously — a power shower, a large garden or a family with teenagers can double it. Many suppliers allow a trial period on a meter with the option to revert, which is worth more than any estimate.
Turn a calculation into an enquiry
Buyers who run these numbers are ready to talk. Give every listing its own page with your photo, phone and WhatsApp on it — leads land straight on your phone.
Create your free property pageFrequently asked questions
Who benefits most from a meter?
Households with fewer people than the property size implies, since fixed charges are usually based on property value or size rather than occupancy. A single person in a family house is the clearest case.
How much water does a person use?
Commonly between 100 and 180 litres a day depending on habits and appliances. Baths, power showers and garden watering push it much higher, and low-flow fittings pull it down considerably.
Can I switch back if it costs more?
In many places yes, within a trial period of a year or two, though not everywhere and rarely twice. Check the local rules before switching, since a permanent change on an unlucky estimate is expensive.