Allow for other water use
Toilets, appliances and automatic systems can use water without a tap running. Make a note of which equipment is operating and follow your water supplier’s guidance for safe meter observations. Do not enter unsafe meter chambers or interfere with supplier equipment.
Understand which property the meter serves
A shared supply can make readings difficult to interpret. Identify whether the meter serves your property alone and where the known internal stop valve is. Record the date and time of observations and any advice already received from the supplier.
Turn observations into an investigation
Unexpected meter movement is a useful clue, but it does not show the exact position of a leak. Appropriate checks can help distinguish internal use or leakage from a problem on a private incoming pipe. Tell the investigator about the route, shared boundaries and surface access.