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WATER AUDIT

Where does your water come from?

Residents of the Shire of Northam may access water from one or more of the following sources:

  • Potable scheme water supplied by Water Corporation’s Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme (GAWSS).
  • Stormwater catchment, which in most cases uses rainwater tanks to capture, store and reuse water on-site.
  • Groundwater via a bore (less common within the Shire due to groundwater salinity issues).

GAWSS water is supplied from Mundaring Weir via a pipeline. Mundaring Weir’s water supply is supplemented by rainfall, streamflow, groundwater and desalinated water.

 

Water Aware:

  • Where does your water come from – one source, or a combination of the above?

How much water do you use?

If your water is sourced from scheme, your water usage is recorded on each Water Corporation bill.

Each property has a water meter, which is read by a technician every 2 months and used to bill water usage. In some instances, water usage may be estimated by the Water Corporation. You can find out more about estimated bills here.

A good way to track your water use over time is to keep a spreadsheet, so you can track periods of high use, seasonal changes, and identify a leak when use increases beyond what is normally expected.

You can also access your bills and account online at Bill and Account

Once logged in, you’re able to download your historical water use records, which can help identify water use patterns.

 

Water Aware:

  • What is your Water Corporation Account number?
  • What is your water meter number?
  • Download your historical water use
  • Create a chart of water use from your downloaded water use data
  • Analyse the chart for water use patterns and make notes of any observations or findings

How waterwise are you?

You can check your waterwise status at Water Corp - Bill and Account by entering your account number.

Once some general information is supplied, you receive a waterwise status rating of ‘Off track’, ‘Needs Improvement’, Halfway there’, ‘Nearly there’ or ‘Waterwise’.

The goal is to work toward achieving Waterwise status, which helps you save both water and money.

 

Water Aware:

  • What is your Waterwise Status rating?

Do you have any leaks?

If you’re connected to scheme water, you can use your water meter to check for leaks.

For major leaks, you can perform a 15-minute meter reading check: Detect a Leak

For minor leaks, record your meter reading during a period of no water use (overnight, for example), then record the meter reading a couple of hours later to determine whether any water leaked during that period.

If your water meter readings suggest you have a leak, it’s time to investigate where that may be. Leaks in underground pipework are easiest to spot in summer, when the ground is dry, by looking for a green patch.

 

Water Aware:

  • Are there any green patches in summer that could symbolise a leaking pipe?
  • Do any of your indoor or outdoor taps leak? If yes, consider googling how to replace the washer yourself, or ask a neighbour/family member, or friend to help.
  • Does your toilet leak? You can check for a leak by adding food colouring to the cistern water, waiting 15 minutes, and then checking whether the bowl shows any signs of colouring that has leaked from above.

Water Aware Checklist

Use the checklist below to assess your current water use and identify opportunities to save water and money.

Download - Water Aware Checklist

Updated 05.02.2026

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