Meter Selection and Verification

Meter Selection and Verification

There are many different types and brands of meters on the market. The most common in Hawke’s Bay are mechanical meters and electromagnetic flow meters (magflows). Mechanical meters are only suitable on clean water of potable standard. Though initial cost is relatively low, the average operating life for mechanical meters is significantly less than a magflow or ultrasonic meter. All surface water takes must be fitted with magflows. You can read more about the types of water meters by reading our Flow Meter Pamphlet.

Your meter must also be installed as per your consent conditions and the New Zealand Water Measurement Code of Practice.

Ultimately, your chosen service provider can recommend the right type of meter for your water quality and will ensure your installation is compliant.​

Verification

Your water meter is required to be checked for accuracy within the first water year (1 July - 30 June) for your consented flow rate, and then every five years thereafter. We are currently into our fifth year with a number of water meters requiring a second verification.

Example: for a consented maximum flow rate of 10 litres per second your meter must be verified as +/-5% accurate by the 30th June 2015 then again by the 30th June 2020.

Verification is like a car Warrant of Fitness and determines that the records of water use are accurate. Please read the Verification of Water Measuring Devices info sheet  for a more detailed explanation of verification methods. Currently only Flow-rigs have Council Approval in Hawke’s Bay. If this is not an appropriate method for your situation please contact Council to discuss options.

By law, Verification must be carried out by a person who the Councils deems as suitably qualified. As part of the INZ Accreditation Programme, the Regional Council will deem those individuals who pass the Verification Unit Standard as suitably qualified. For verification it is the person, not just the company who must be accredited.

Approved water meter installers and verifiers