Greater Western Water (GWW) is encouraging customers to safeguard their water meters against freezing as winter temperatures drop.

When temperatures drop below 0°C and frost sets in, exposed water meters and above-ground pipes can freeze.

This can stop water flowing into homes, causing significant inconvenience, especially during the early morning rush for a hot shower, tea or coffee and even lead to cracked pipes, water outages and damage to property.

Protecting the water meter from frost helps ensure a reliable water supply throughout winter and can help customers avoid expensive repair bills caused by damaged pipes.

GWW General Manager for Service Delivery Jodie Hallam says the organisation is encouraging customers to have some fun this year and ‘dress up’ their water meters.

“Whether you show off your footy colours, paint a design on a box, knit a meter ‘cosy’ or keep it simple and use a bucket, you’ll be helping protect your water supply and inspiring others in your street to do the same.”

“By making this a visible winter habit, we can work together to reduce disruptions and unexpected repair costs for both your plumbing and our pipes,” Ms Hallam said.

Any covering placed over the 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.

For more information on protecting water meters during winter, visit gww.com.au/frozenmeters.