Why it matters

Verification isn't optional, it's a consent condition

Under the Resource Management (Measurement and Reporting of Water Takes) Regulations 2010, ground and surface water users in New Zealand are required to accurately measure, record, and report their water takes. In Canterbury, ECan enforces this through resource consent conditions, and flow meter accuracy is central to those conditions.

Your consent requires your meter to operate within a tolerance of ±5% when compared to a verification flow meter. If your meter has drifted outside that tolerance, which happens gradually over time, particularly with mechanical meters, your recorded data may be inaccurate, your reporting may be non-compliant, and your consent could be at risk.

Regular verification keeps you on the right side of your consent, gives you confidence in your data, and demonstrates to ECan and your council that you're taking your water management obligations seriously. NZ Flow Group handle the compliance paperwork so you don't have to.

Verification schedules

Meter type Sector Frequency
Electromagnetic (mag) & ultrasonicIrrigationEvery 5 years
Mechanical / turbineIrrigationEvery 5 years
Electromagnetic (mag)MunicipalEvery 5 years
UltrasonicMunicipalEvery 5 years
MechanicalMunicipalEvery 5 years
Any type, trade wasteIndustrial / commercialAnnually
New or replacement metersAllWithin 6 months of install

NZ Flow Group tracks verification due dates for our customers, we'll contact you when you're coming up for your next one.

Our equipment

Flexim Fluxus F601

The leading portable ultrasonic clamp-on meter, required by ECan for all Canterbury verifications. Our units are sent away for IANZ-accredited calibration every year, compared against a certified flow rig under fixed conditions. When we verify your meter, we're comparing it against a calibrated instrument under known conditions, not just making an estimate.

Calibration standard
IANZ accredited · Annual recertification against certified flow rig
Schedule tracking

We'll remind you before you're due

We maintain a schedule of all consented meters we've worked with, and contact you in advance of your verification due date. Keeping on top of these schedules is your responsibility, we make it easy.

Book a verification
By sector

Verification across irrigation, municipal, and industrial

IRRIGATION

5-yearly ECan compliant verification

For irrigation consent holders, we carry out on-site verification using the ECan-specified Ultrasonic Clamp-On method. We issue the certificate and can submit documentation directly to ECan on your behalf. We also track your due dates and contact you before you're overdue.

  • All meter types, every 5 years
  • New meters, within 6 months of installation
  • Documentation submitted to ECan on your behalf
MUNICIPAL

Physical and electronic verification for councils

We carry out on-site physical verification of installed meters across water supply, reticulation, and wastewater networks, no need to remove meters from service. We also offer electronic verification for mag meters where interrupting flow isn't possible.

  • In-place verification, no supply interruption
  • Electronic verification for mag meters
  • Certificates accepted by all Canterbury TAs
  • Supports SCADA and council reporting systems
INDUSTRIAL / TRADE WASTE

Annual trade waste verification

Trade waste discharge meters are typically required to be verified annually, not every five years. Many businesses overlook this until they receive a notice from council. NZ Flow Group provides annual trade waste verification for Canterbury businesses, including those discharging to Christchurch City Council's network.

  • Annual verification using IANZ-calibrated equipment
  • Certificates accepted by Christchurch City Council
  • Annual schedule tracked by NZ Flow Group
  • Documentation for your trade waste consent records
How it works

Our verification process

Every verification follows a consistent, documented process, so your certificate stands up to scrutiny.

1

Attend site with calibrated Flexim Fluxus F601

We bring our IANZ-calibrated portable ultrasonic meter to your site.

2

Complete ultrasonic clamp-on verification test

We clamp transducers onto your pipe alongside the installed meter and run the verification test.

3

Compare results against your installed meter

We record the result, pass or fail to ±5% tolerance.

4

Issue verification certificate

Full documentation issued on completion, accepted by ECan and Canterbury territorial authorities.

5

Submit to council where required

For water take consent holders, we can supply documentation directly to ECan as part of your compliance record.

Also available

Electronic verification for mag meters

A specialist service using brand-specific test equipment to check the health of your installed electromagnetic meter, without removing it from the line or requiring flow conditions.

We run a series of electronic tests against the meter's original factory data. The outcome is a pass or fail with an Electronic Verification Certificate, accepted in most cases by Canterbury authorities as proof of compliance.

  • No flow interruption required
  • Uses factory test data for comparison
  • Certificate issued on completion
  • Accepted by most Canterbury TAs
Contact details

Book a verification

Unit 8, 11 Penn Place, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041

Book a verification
Frequently asked questions

Flow meter verification, common questions

How often do I need to verify my flow meter in Canterbury?

It depends on your consent conditions. There is a common understanding that mag flow meters require re-verification every 5 years, ultrasonic (clamp-on type) meters every 3 years, and mechanical meters every 2 years. In practice, our experience has shown that for now, all meter types fall under a 5-yearly rotation, though this may change in the future. New meters are verified within six months of installation, and trade waste discharge meters are typically required to be verified annually. Contact us if you're unsure.

What method does ECan require for flow meter verification?

For irrigation consent holders, ECan specifies that an Ultrasonic Clamp-On type flow meter must be used for flow meter verifications in the Canterbury region. NZ Flow Group uses the IANZ-calibrated Flexim Fluxus F601 for this. For municipal and industrial customers, electronic verification is also available, using brand-specific test equipment to check the health of an installed mag meter without requiring flow conditions, producing an Electronic Verification Certificate accepted by most Canterbury territorial authorities.

What is an electronic verification for a mag flow meter?

An electronic verification uses brand-specific test equipment to check the health of an installed electromagnetic (mag) flow meter. A series of electronic tests are run and compared against the meter's original factory test results, producing a pass or fail outcome and an Electronic Verification Certificate. In most cases this is accepted by NZ councils as proof of accuracy. For municipal and industrial customers, an electronic verification can also be used as a compliance verification, providing a valid certificate for your consent records without requiring live flow conditions.

How long does a flow meter verification take?

Most on-site verifications take between one and two hours depending on site conditions, access, and meter size. Electronic verifications can be faster. We'll give you a time estimate when you book.

What accreditation does NZ Flow Group hold?

We are Blue Tick accredited by Irrigation NZ, covering flow meter installation, verification, and data hosting. Our Flexim Fluxus F601 verification equipment is IANZ-calibrated annually against an accredited flow rig.

Do you provide verification certificates accepted by ECan and Canterbury councils?

Yes. We issue full verification certificates on completion of every job, accepted by ECan and by local and district councils across Canterbury, including Christchurch City Council, as proof of meter accuracy for resource consent and trade waste consent compliance purposes.

What is the difference between irrigation verification and trade waste verification?

Irrigation verification is carried out every five years, for all meter types, under the RMA Regulations 2010. Trade waste verification is required annually by most Canterbury territorial authorities. Both require IANZ-calibrated equipment and produce a compliance certificate.

Book a flow meter verification in Canterbury

Due for your 5-yearly verification? Coming up on your annual trade waste date? Not sure when you last had your meter checked? Contact us today.

Book now