Greater Western Water (GWW) is encouraging customers not to let their guard down as winter enters its final month, reminding households to "dress up" their water meters against freezing conditions.
While spring is on the horizon, frosty mornings and overnight temperatures can still fall below 0°C, causing exposed water meters and above-ground pipes to freeze.
Frozen meters and pipes can restrict water flow into homes, creating inconvenience during busy morning routines and potentially leading to cracked pipes, water outages and costly property damage.
Protecting water meters from frost helps ensure a reliable water supply through the remainder of winter and can help customers avoid expensive repair bills caused by damaged pipes.
GWW General Manager Service Delivery Jodie Hallam said there is still time for customers to get involved and have some fun by "dressing up" their water meters before winter ends.
"The last month of winter often still brings some of our coldest mornings, so it's important not to forget about protecting your water meter," Ms Hallam said.
"Whether you show off your footy colours, paint a design on a box, knit a meter cosy or keep it simple with a bucket, you'll be helping protect your water supply while encouraging others in your street to do the same."
Any covering placed over a meter must be easy to remove and allow a minimum 10cm clearance so GWW meter readers and field crews can safely access it.
If a water meter splits or breaks due to freezing, customers should contact GWW on 13 44 99 to arrange a replacement. GWW will also replace any damaged pipes located between the meter and the street.
If pipes are damaged between the home and the water meter, customers will need to contact a licensed plumber to arrange repairs.
