Southern Rural Water has a zero-tolerance approach to water theft. This season we’re focussed on making sure customers are protected from the impacts of meter tampering.
Tampering with water meters doesn’t just break the law, it disrupts water delivery to customers, increases metering costs and undermines fair water management.
Victoria’s rural water corporations have reported a rise in tampering with water meters, including damaging, altering, and even removing meters altogether.
Between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2025, 176 meter tampering breaches were detected in Victoria. Individuals can now be fined for tampering with a water meter or prosecuted for more serious breaches.
As of 17 December 2025, anyone caught destroying, damaging, removing, altering, or interfering with a water meter or associated works without proper authorisation can now be fined:
• Individuals: fines up to $2,442
• Body Corporates: fines up to $12,211
Acting Managing Director Scott Cornish said Southern Rural Water is continuing to strengthen its compliance and enforcement approach to meet the expectations of our community and protect water users who are doing the right thing.
“Dry conditions across many parts of southern Victoria are challenging our customers and we encourage them to plan ahead and contact us early if they are having difficulties securing water,” he said.
Mr Cornish encouraged water users to visit online water trading platform – Southern Rural Water Exchange – to explore opportunities to buy and sell water to help meet their water needs.
“The online trade platform is available for trade of allocation and water shares in the Macalister, Werribee and Bacchus Marsh Irrigation Districts and trade of permanent and allocation groundwater throughout southern Victoria. It provides public access to historic trade price data, allowing users to make more informed decisions about market rates when trading water,” he said.
Mr Cornish wants to emphasise Southern Rural Water’s strong stance on compliance and remind water users they are responsible for complying with the conditions of their entitlement and obligations under the Water Act 1989.
“Meter tampering is a serious offence. With new fines now in place, the consequences are tougher than ever”
If you suspect meter tampering or any other breach of the Water Act 1989, you can phone Southern Rural Water on 1300 139 510 or email srw@srw.com.au.