Volunteers are being sought to help test residential water meters in Hamilton East.

But there will be no separate water meter bill.  

Instead, those involved will be rewarded with expert advice on how to fix leaks and conserve water, plus free passes to Council facilities like the Hamilton Zoo. Households involved in the pilot will also have exclusive access to an app to monitor their own water use.

Households will be part of a three-month pilot programme to test residential water meters in the city. The pilot is being run by IAWAI – Flowing Waters, the joint water company set up by Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils.

Around 200 Hamilton East households are needed for the pilot, which will provide IAWAI with important information on technology, costs and consumer feedback. Hamilton East was chosen because its older infrastructure will also provide information on potential retrofit costs.

IAWAI Executive Chair Kevin Lavery said the participants would be the first in the city to see how technology and access to information supports responsible water use and ensures consumers only pay for what they use. Information from the pilot will help test the pros and cons of residential meters before final decisions are made, he said.

“This is an opportunity for households to get professional advice, test out new technology and play a role in shaping Hamilton’s future water services.”

“The government have been clear we have to change the way we charge for water, so this pilot is about making sure we choose the right approach.”

Households in Hamilton East interested in being part of the pilot, to begin early in the new year, can register their interest at hamilton.govt.nz/communitypilot

Funding for the pilot was allocated by Hamilton City Council in its 2025/26 Annual Plan.

© Scoop Media