The meter is the first test and the dividing line. Everything on the house side is yours; everything on the street side is the municipality's.
Establishing which side the loss is on decides who pays for the repair. Full service list at Leak Detection Durban.
Send a photo of the meter reading with all taps closed, 15 minutes apart.
Get a Meter Leak QuoteThe Test You Can Do Today
- Close every tap, appliance and outlet, including irrigation and pool top-up.
- Photograph the meter reading.
- Wait 15 minutes without using water.
- Photograph it again.
- Any movement means water is escaping between the meter and your fittings.
Narrowing It Down
Close the isolating valve at the house. If the meter stops, the leak is in the buried run between the meter and the building. If it keeps turning, the loss is on the street side and the municipality is responsible. If it stops only when the geyser is isolated, you have found the culprit.
Water Meter Leak Detection Prices in Durban
| Job | Indicative range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Meter test and leak confirmation | R850 – R1,900 | Confirms the leak and which side it is on. |
| Full detection after confirmation | R1,450 – R3,000 | Call-out plus first hour. |
| Isolating valve supply and fit | R650 – R1,800 | Lets you test and isolate in future. |
| Repair of a leak on the meter connection | R1,200 – R2,800 | Owner's side of the connection. |
| Report supporting an insurance claim | R650 – R1,800 | Dated findings plus repair invoice. |
| Water management device installation | Per municipal schedule | Where the municipality requires one. |
These are indicative market ranges, not a quotation. They are compiled from published South African leak detection and plumbing pricing to give you a starting point for budgeting. They are not the rate card of any company on this platform.
Take the meter photos before anyone visits. A dated pair of readings is the single most useful thing you can hand a leak specialist, and it supports an insurance claim later.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My meter turns with all taps off. What now?
That confirms a leak on your side of the connection. Close the isolating valve at the house to establish whether it is in the buried run or inside, then book detection to pinpoint it.
Who fixes a leak on the street side of the meter?
The eThekwini Municipality. Report it to eThekwini Water and Sanitation rather than paying a private plumber, and note the reference number.
Can I claim back the wasted water?
eThekwini runs no automatic rebate. Its water policy offers an optional insurance against undetected underground leaks, funded by a monthly premium on the municipal account, which settles the excess charges for two metering periods. Claim within 60 days of the repair, with proof of the repair attached.
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