Water Meter & Automatic Meter Reading FAQs
Water Management Services
What does Water Utility Solutions do?
We help sectional title schemes, estates, commercial buildings, and industrial properties manage water consumption, improve billing accuracy, reduce water losses, and support compliance through metering, monitoring, leak detection, and alternative water supply solutions.
Who is water management for?
Do you provide monthly meter readings and reporting?
Can you help reduce high water bills?
Do you help with municipal billing reconciliation?
Do you manage water and sewerage allocation for sectional title?
How do you help prevent water losses and wastage?
Water Meter Installations
What types of water meters do you install?
We install smart water meters, prepaid water meters and analogue water meters depending on property type, budget, and management requirements.
Do you supply and install water meters?
Yes. We handle supply, installation, commissioning, and calibration where required.
Do you upgrade existing meters or replace them?
Both. If existing meters are compatible, we can upgrade them to enable remote reading. If not, we recommend replacement options.
What is the typical process for a meter installation project?
Assessment and consultation, proposal and system design, installation, commissioning/calibration, and training or handover support.
Do you offer flexible payment options for meter installations?
Will the installation disrupt the water supply?
There may be a planned shut-off during installation. We aim to minimise downtime and schedule work to reduce disruption.
Smart Water Meters
What is a smart water meter?
A smart water meter measures water usage digitally and transmits readings automatically, allowing remote visibility of consumption.
What are the benefits of smart water meters?
Do smart water meters provide alerts?
Yes, depending on the meter and setup. Alerts can highlight abnormal consumption patterns and potential leaks.
Can residents or managers view water usage on a dashboard or app?
Are smart water meters more accurate than mechanical meters?
They can be, especially over time, and they reduce manual reading errors. Accuracy depends on the meter specification and installation conditions.
Prepaid Water Meter
What is a prepaid water meter?
A prepaid meter allows users to pay for water upfront. Water credit is loaded and usage deducts from the balance.
Why choose prepaid water meters?
How do residents buy prepaid water?
Can prepaid meters work in sectional title schemes and apartments?
What happens if a prepaid meter runs out of credit?
Do prepaid meters need batteries or power?
Many prepaid meters are battery-powered. Battery lifespan varies by model and usage patterns.
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR)
What is automatic meter reading (AMR)?
AMR is a system that enables meter readings to be captured remotely using a communication device connected to compatible meters
Why use AMR instead of manual readings?
It reduces human error, saves time, improves billing accuracy, and enables quicker detection of abnormal consumption.
Is AMR compatible with all water meters?
No. Compatibility depends on the meter model and installation type. We assess this during consultation.
Can AMR help with leak detection?
Do you provide reporting for AMR systems?
Analogue Water Meters
What is an analogue water meter?
A mechanical meter that measures water usage through moving parts and is read manually.
Why choose an analogue meter?
Can analogue meters be upgraded later?
How often should analogue meters be checked or replaced?
Leak Detection Services
Do you offer leak detection services?
What are common signs of a leak?
Can smart meters help identify leaks?
Do you find leaks inside units as well as common areas?
How quickly should leaks be addressed?
Alternative Water Supply & Water Treatment
Do you offer alternative water supply solutions?
Do you install borehole water treatment systems?
What is a greywater system?
Do you provide filtration systems for non-potable water?
Do you offer reverse osmosis (RO) solutions?
Do you help with ongoing maintenance and monitoring of treatment systems?
Compliance & By-Law Support
Do you help with water by-law compliance for Cape Town properties?
Do sectional title schemes need sub-metering?
Requirements can depend on property configuration and municipal directives. We assist with assessments and practical recommendations for compliance.
Do you help with isolation valves and system readiness?
Can you assist with documentation and record keeping?
Support - After-Hours & Emergency Assistance
Do you offer after-hours support?
Yes. We provide after-hours and emergency support for qualifying incidents related to metering and urgent water issues.
What is considered an emergency?
What is not considered an emergency?
Is after-hours support available for a prepaid meter that is working normally?
Typically no. If the prepaid meter is functional, after-hours support may not apply. Each call is assessed based on urgency and impact.
How should residents or building managers prepare for emergencies?
Do you offer onsite call-outs after hours?
Are after-hours call-outs billed differently?
Often yes. After-hours call-outs may carry different rates due to timing and urgency. We recommend confirming call-out terms as part of onboarding.
What information should I provide when calling support?
Getting Started & Practical Questions
How do I know which solution is right for my property?
Do you work with managing agents and body corporates?
Can you handle new developments and retrofit projects?
How long does implementation take?
Do you provide training and handover?
Yes. We provide guidance for property managers and stakeholders so the system is used correctly from day one.
