As commercial plumbers, we’ve been working with apartment blocks, buildings and townhouses in Brisbane for over a decade and something we continue to see is townhouses without separate water metering!

Up until 2008, new townhouse complexes were able to install single water meters. Thankfully since then, for the benefit of owners and tenants, all new builds are required to be sub-metered.

What are Sub-Meters?

Water sub-meters are installed to allow individual townhouse owners to measure their own water usage and to be charged accordingly.

When a townhouse complex only has a single (master) water meter, the costs are distributed evenly which is (in most cases) unfair. A single resident or couple are likely to use far less water than a family of 4 or a bunch of housemates in the neighbouring townhouse!

The Top 3 Benefits of Sub-Meters for your Townhouse

If you’re considering sub-metering your townhouse complex there are many benefits for both you and your tenants.

1. Correct Billing

As we’ve just mentioned, with sub-meters installed each tenant will be charged for their own water consumption, rather than an equal share of the water bill regardless of their usage.

Did you know that if your rental property is sub-metered, you could be eligible to charge for water consumption. If you have a single meter, you won’t be able to do this.

2. Water Saving

Your tenants will be able to see their water usage and adjust accordingly. Studies have shown that tenants are reducing water usage by 15% – 30% after sub-meters are installed.

3. Detect Leaks

When you can clearly see the water usage in different areas of your complex, you may be able to identify leaks that are wasting water (and money). For example a leak in a common area that may not be noticed by tenants can be picked up if sub-metering has been installed.

How can I install Sub-Metered Systems in my Townhouse?

If your complex was built before 2008, it’s likely that you’ll have a single meter installed at your property. And to get the benefits above, you should be installing sub-meters to save money and make your complex more efficient!

Check out some of our latest case studies to get an idea of how we’ve helped properties in the past: 

Water meter installation for a strata community of 25 houses in Fitzgibbon completed within 5 days 

Installation of cold water sub-meters to QUU specifications in Coorparoo, completed within 2 days

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Emu. Plumbing. Gas Fitting. Pipe Relining

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martodon

1733450493

I have just had a half-hour conversation with Tony regarding an extremely stressful underground stormwater situation on a new build. Tony patiently assured me and laid out my options from worst to best scenario. Every scenario had a solution. What impressed me the most was that instead of taking advantage of my lack of knowledge in this area and pushing for unnecessary work, he did the opposite and advised me to take a wait and see approach over a couple of years. A true gentleman and an honest and knowledgeable tradesman. He went straight into my contact list for future work. Thanks Tony the construction industry needs more people like you!

Arne Bier

1727913748

Tony and his crew relined 4 sections of a sewer line. Their hi-res camera revealed that roots had penetrated sections that had been damaged by external causes and a botched patch job many years ago, started disintegrating. Emu guys were great because they oozed confidence in their approach and their execution. They answered all my questions, and their quote was competitive. Highly recommended. And best of all, the garden is untouched and roots are not to blame for the original cause.

Zxcvc Zza

1714395832

Steffen

1705477162

Our plumbers had recommended Emu Plumbing as the best in the relining business. The Emu team arrived, promptly commenced work, and completed it with a friendly and approachable professionalism over 7 hours. Their quote was competitive, detailed and inclusive of explanation on how the process would be undertaken without excavation, allowing us to feel comfortable from the get-go.The work was to repair and reline our main stormwater line under our concrete house slab, their investigation found damage had occurred during the concrete pour some 25 years prior. Luckily, we'd not had significant issues during these years, just a slow build-up in hefty storms. With our job successfully completed, we now feel assured that we can handle any stormwater that comes our way..... good work, Tony and the Emu team.

Tim

1698921014

Best plumbers I've come across, no job too hard for these guys.. Excellent for relining.

Dan S.

1682227149

Tony and the Emu team repaired and relined some underslab pipes that had stakes put through it on a new build. Tony was very responsive and even worked with me on potential fixes for other issues that i had. His team rectified the broken pipes and relined them to an extremly high standard on time and on budget.Tony provided before and after photos which was great and provided excellent reassurance that the work had been completed as required. Would not hesitate to use Emu plumbing again and even my builder has saved Emu's details as he was unaware this type of repair was possible.Would recommend to anyone for prompt and profressional service.

Ian Fraser

1657071248

EMU relined approx 48m of underground concrete rain water pipe on my industrial site, ranging in diameter from 225 mm to 375 mm. Their team did a great job and provided a high level of service

Cam Will

1653372335

Tony Whittred

1652869318

Today we had Tyler from Emu Plumbing come out to our address in Coorparoo. He was courteous, helpful and fixed our issue without to much fuss. But what impressed us the most is the fact he cleaned up the mess created and went the extra yard to leave our site spotless. We really appreciate the way he went about his business before, during and especially after. Later that night, we had the guys from Urban Utilities to fix up the issue in the mains. They even commented on how the plumber cleaned. Thanks Tyler.... Tony W - Coorparoo

Renai Postill

1649376481

The team at Emu were great from quote to finish. Helpful and communicative. We would recommend.

Chris Marks

1649019941

I called Emu Plumbing to fix a broken pipe that was causing my stormwater to flood my neighbours yard.They came out, fix a problem, when it was discovered that there was another issue they fixed it no charge.Great to see a company these days taking responsibility for they workmanship.Thank you Tony and the team!

Ted B

1645224857

Tony and team were excellent - fast, responsive, knowledgeable and honest - what more could you ask for in a tradie. Definitely recommend, and will use them again.

Harry Steel

1635405410

If you are reading these reviews, trying to find an honest and reliable team, Emu Plumbing won't let you down.Tony and his team are brilliant, they cleared and patched a severely broken storm water pipe under our carport.Niles & Jason were on time, professional and left the site clean and tidy.Can't recommend highly enough!Thanks Tony

Andrew Hoholt

1628836893

Tony and the team at Emu Plumbing are amazing! Emergency sewer issue - no problem. His team leader, Niles, turned up the next day. Friendly, approachable, great communication, knowledgeable and hard working. Caved in sewer line was jetted to clean & clear, patch inserted and cured, in the end a hard clean clear pipe - like new. Problem fixed same day, and at a very fair price. I can't recommend this company enough. Do yourself a favour and call them!

FC SERVICES AU

1628241565

Excellent service and very fast, and the team is willing to help you all the way of your emergency. Recommended.

Szandra Poruban

1626245570

We were in a situation where we needed a gas technician to come and assess if there was a gas leak at our property where a previous technician has disconnected our gas cylinder and therefore had no gas for hot showers etc. The team at EMU were absolutely amazing and very helpful when I rang them and told them about our situation. A technician was organised to come out and he managed to fix the problem. It's nice to know that humanity still exists and that they helped as soon as they could, at a reasonable price too!A huge Thank You to the great team at EMU (Shakira, Nials and Tony), we will definitely recommend your business to others as well!

Deidre Purnell

1613350130

The entire process from quotation to choosing tap ware, installation and completing job was seamless. Niles was very professional, on time and kept me posted the entire time he was doing the installation. He also left the bathrooms clean and tidy afterwards. We have used Emu plumbing a few times and each time the service and job is very well done. Good job Tony and the Emu team, keep up the great work.

Alex Wood

1611891060

Professional and polite tradesmen. Honest and upfront on saving me money by suggesting alternative solution (dig up ended up being cheaper than reline). Will definitely use them again in future.I was impressed with them providing photos of the job as it progressed all packaged up.

Richard Greeley

1611549853

Good Afternoon Tony,Both Iréna and I wish to convey our most sincere thanks for you and your team's swift and professional resolution to our recent plumbing challenges. We could not praise Alistair and Niles more highly for their incredible technical capabilities, their client focus and their well developed interpersonal and communication skills. It has been an absolute pleasure dealing with such a progressive organization as Emu Plumbing. What this rather long-running issue that we have been grappling with over several years, and having engaged numerous other "so-called plumbing professionals", has proven to us is that there are plumbers and then there is your team....in a league of your own!Warm regards,Richard and Iréna

Sandra Pas

1610020521

We had an emergency with a broken tap in the kitchen, they fit us in immediately. They arrived on time and got the job done quickly and professionally. The price was very reasonable. Very impressed.

Allyson Seaborn

1609847906

The best service in Brisbane. Thank you so much. Reliable and honest.

Andrea Alice

1607308074

Rhi Mac

1605926417

Great service!

Jason Goodsell

1603798622

Emu plumbing were the most prompt and competitive in pricing for an under slab pipe repair; which a few other companies actually declined as it was quite a complicated job. Tony from Emu Plumbing attended site with a "can do" attitude and completed the job after a long and tough day. I returned home to find the work area spotless. Thoroughly recommend Emu plumbing. Thank you so much for a hassle free pipe repair.

An Dy

1600039858

Emu did a great job with all the plumbing. Much appreciated.

Scott Wale

1599626838

Finally a plumbing company I trust. Great service and friendly staff. The cost was very reasonable. Highly recommended.

Tim Kilinc

1598327249

Tony from Emu plumbing restored my faith in people. I contacted him after being quoted $13K to fix our sewer line by another company. Tony spent time with me on the phone going through all possible options to address this issue more economically. He then offered to come and inspect the sewer line at no cost. It turned out we did not have to do anything. Tony has found in us a client for life instead of a quick buck. We would be recommending him to all our friends and family.

Mark Mahaffey

1595200971

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICEWe had a particularly tricky job on a site with extremely difficult access. Tony and Niles quickly investigated and set forward to fix the issue. When plan A didn’t go exactly to plan Tony took full control and delivered a brilliant outcome. He arranged machine access through our fully landscaped property, went over and above to ensure the problem was fixed, and left our property almost as he found it. I am, and will continue to recommend Emu Plumbing for any re-line and general plumbing work. Their customer service second to none.

Jason Leuzzi

1594504756

Niles did a wonderful job on our house. Certainly use him for any plumbing needs in the future. Top job thank you.

C

1593857145

Excellent services. I would recommend Emu Plumbing.

Ashley Portas

1592367891

Great honest feedback and very good at getting back to you. Thank you!

Brett Forbes

1592011776

I Have been using Emu Plumbing for years now for everything from Major renovations to small one off jobs . Tony and his team are always on time and are by far the most reliable Tradies in the business. I would recommend Emu for any gas or plumbing works big or small.

Chris Anderson

1588227135

Awesome guys to work with

iburgess1969

1585182304

Emu Plumbing did two significant jobs on consecutive days and left the job cleaner than they found it. Excellent service from polite, knowledgeable and reliable tradesman . Thoroughly recommend this company.

iadine c

1583016294

Efficient, reliable and friendly service. I would recommend Emu plumbing !

B Nash

1581780119

Emily Mary Paterson

1579049541

A massive thank you to Tony and the team at Emu. These guys were able to reline my sewer pipe that was underneath my house foundations. It was so much cheaper than the other quotes I had from the other businesses who were going to perform open heart surgery under my house to fix the pipe and create god knows how much mess. They turned up on time every time and cleaned up after themselves! Awesome work!

Jacqui Kelly

1579048907

10/10 to Tony and his team at Emu plumbing.We had 2 urgent plumbing issues this week at 2 separate addresses and his team were there pronto with expert assistance getting to the bottom of a technical issue very quickly. Great value and amazing service, thanks so much Tony!

Rusty nuggets

1574451457

Knowledgeable. quality work.

MHRS Brisbane Marriott Engineering

1573530885

Madan Thakuri

1570605676

Great service.

Sarah Shephard

1570424992

excellent service, prompt and communicative- highly recommended

Teresa da Silva

1570397513

I needed to call an emergency plumber on a Saturday afternoon for issues at the office where I work in Kingsford Smith Drive in Eagle Farm. I called two local after-hours plumbers without success. Emu answered on the first ring although already busy with a job down the road. They estimated they would be finished with the current job and would be at the office by 4.30 pm which they were. They did a very thorough, excellent job, with photographic evidence, were very reasonably priced and very professional/ I would highly recommend them and use their services again without hesitation.

Amy

1569282722

Tony and his team were amazing! I was stuck with no hot water late at night and he sent someone the following morning but still reassured me that he would be able to fix my problem. His worker, Niles was very professional, thorough and lovely. Issue was fixed and all my gas equipment around the house was brought up to compliance.

Mark Gilpin

1568973205

Tony and the team are fantastic. Highly professional. Emu Plumbing has all my ongoing commercial work in my fitness facilities. I highly recommend this company.

Moira Anthony

1561282154

Great advuce and lovely friendly staff

Martin Corkery

1560573730

Very professional gas fitter

Pete Reddy

1557979429

We’ve used Emu Plumbing for about 5 years now and can’t speak highly enough of them.On all occasions Tony and his tradesman have been extremely professional, courteous and very tidy. They have always been on time, if not early for the job.We have had a number of different Emu tradesmen come out for various jobs and they all possess the same positive attitude towards the task.Recently we had our hot water system fail. Tony was able to send Eli out within a few hours to assess. He was able to give great advice on which hot water system would be best for our situation.I’d highly recommend Emu Plumbing to anyone who’s after a thoroughly professional service.

Kendall Simpson

1557799869

Always thinking of the customer's needs. A service orientated business that actually thinks about service delivery! Brilliant.

Ena Alic

1554378880

A father was show­ing a new co-worker a pic­ture of his five sons. His friend asked What they did for a liv­ing. The father said the older two are doc­tors and the youngest two are lawyers. The friend asked about the mid­dle son and the father said, “Oh, he’s a plumber. Some­one had to pay for all the oth­ers’ edu­ca­tions.”

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