Starting next month, households and businesses that use tap water from council lines can expect their water meters to be swapped out for newer models.
Volumetric water charges were introduced in the district in 2012, and a spokesperson for the council said the time had come to replace the current meters.
"Typically, these domestic meters reach their end of life at approximately 10 years or 2000 cubic metres throughput. Many of these meters have either exceeded or are approaching the 10-year age threshold or the 2000 cubic metres throughput limit."
Water quality could shorten the lifespan of a meter too, the spokesperson said.
The council estimated it would take nine months to replace 8143 water meters in Cromwell, Pisa, Bannockburn, Alexandra, Clyde, Naseby, Omakau, Ranfurly and Patearoa.
The spokesperson said the work had been budgeted for, and the $1m cost covered both the replacement meters and their installation, as well as the replacement and installation of backflow preventers at each property, which provided added protection for the council water supply.
The programmed work would reduce the "possibility of unbilled water use" and maintain "the efficiency of the water supply system", they said.
In a series of Q&As on its website, the council had told users they could expect their water supplies to be shut off for about 10 minutes when work at their property was undertaken, they said.
"Work involves the replacement of the meter unit inside the toby or the blue water box at the front of your property. This is a simple process, unscrewing the old meter and then fitting the new meter," the council said.
"When the operator finds a meter is spinning, that is water is being used, on arrival, they will knock and speak to the customer before proceeding. This eliminates the risk of interrupting someone’s shower."
