- Appliances
- Water softeners
AQA Watch
BWT AQA Watch on water softener: low-flow leak warning
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
An “AQA Watch” warning message on a BWT Perla water softener means the unit has detected a continuous low flow rate (under 60 l/h for more than 10 minutes), which points to a dripping tap, leaky toilet cistern or pipe leak. Check all tapping points before acknowledging.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Unlike AQA Stop, the AQA Watch function issues a warning message without shutting off the water supply: if you suspect a hidden pipe leak, close the isolation valve until a plumber checks it.
- Do not deactivate AQA Watch under Settings > Device configuration just to silence the alert before checking every tap and toilet cistern in the building.
Safe checks you can perform
- Check all tapping points, taps and toilet cisterns in the building
- Watch the current outlet flow rate on the home screen with all taps off
- Acknowledge the warning in the Messages menu once resolved
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Leak detection and repair on domestic pipework or cisterns
- Do not attempt this professional task: Flow meter and AQA Watch inspection by BWT after-sales service
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Leak detection and repair on domestic pipework or cisterns
What they doA plumber inspects the building's water supply system downstream of the softener, locates the source of the < 60 l/h flow and repairs the leaking toilet cistern, tap or pipe joint.
They must show youthe repaired cistern, tap or pipe joint and zero flow indicated when all outlets are closed.
In writingthe leaking component repaired, the pressure or leak test performed and confirmation that the warning cleared.
Flow meter and AQA Watch inspection by BWT after-sales service
What they doIf the downstream pipework is isolated and leak-free yet AQA Watch continues to issue false low-flow warnings, BWT after-sales service checks the internal water meter and controller.
They must show youthe water meter reading accurately at zero flow and the AQA Watch configuration in Device settings.
In writingthe serial number and PNR, the water meter inspection findings and any parts serviced.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Check all tapping points, taps and toilet cisterns in the building
- Who:
- you, inspecting every bathroom, kitchen, utility room and outdoor tap.
- How:
- follow BWT's remedy for AQA Alert / AQA Watch messages: check all tapping points in the water supply system, paying close attention to toilet cisterns that trickle into the bowl, drain taps and connected appliances.
- Result that matters:
- finding and stopping any slow drip or trickle that ran for more than 10 minutes.
- If you find a dripping tap or running toilet cistern:
- shut it off or isolate its service valve.
- If every tap and cistern appears dry and shut:
- check the live flow rate on the softener display.
- Evidence to keep:
- which outlet was dripping or a list of the tapping points checked.
Evidence: BWT Perla seta Sistema de tratamiento de agua potable duplex - Instrucciones de montaje y de servicio · BWT Perla Simplex DT water softener with disinfection and IoT - Installation and operating manual
Watch the current outlet flow rate on the home screen with all taps off
- Who:
- you, at the BWT Perla touch display.
- How:
- with all household taps and water-using appliances turned off, check the current outlet water flow rate (l/h) on the BWT Perla home screen and visually inspect the softener's own threaded connections for leaks.
- Result that matters:
- seeing whether flow drops to zero or a trickle under 60 l/h is still passing through.
- If the flow rate reads zero with all outlets closed:
- the slow draw has stopped and you can acknowledge the warning.
- If flow still registers with every tap shut:
- there is an active leak in the downstream pipework.
- Evidence to keep:
- the live flow reading in l/h and the daily consumption view on the display.
Evidence: BWT Perla seta Sistema de tratamiento de agua potable duplex - Instrucciones de montaje y de servicio · BWT Perla home Simplex softening unit - Installation and operating manual · BWT Perla Simplex DT water softener with disinfection and IoT - Installation and operating manual
Acknowledge the warning in the Messages menu once resolved
- Who:
- you, on the product touch display.
- How:
- press Messages on the home screen, review the AQA Watch entry and acknowledge the message after fixing the cause. BWT notes that if a message is confirmed without fixing the cause, it will appear again after the next regeneration at the latest.
- Result that matters:
- the warning clearing from active messages while remaining logged under Info > Operating record.
- If the warning does not return over the following days:
- the leak or trickle is resolved.
- If AQA Watch triggers again with all taps closed:
- call a plumber or BWT customer service.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the logged message in Info > Operating record.
Evidence: BWT Perla seta Sistema de tratamiento de agua potable duplex - Instrucciones de montaje y de servicio · BWT Perla Simplex DT water softener with disinfection and IoT - Installation and operating manual
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Appliances
- Brand
- BWT
- Product type
- Water softeners
Known code variants
- advertencia AQA Watch
- AQA Alert AQA Watch
- AQA Watch
- AQA Watch warning
- aviso AQA Watch descalcificador BWT
- BWT AQA Watch
- BWT Perla AQA Watch
- BWT softener AQA Watch low flow alarm
- fuga caudal bajo BWT AQA Watch
What it means
In the BWT Perla seta, BWT Perla home and BWT Perla (Simplex DT) installation and operating manuals, the programmable AQA Watch alarm function (part of the AQA Alert warning functions) monitors the building's water supply and issues a warning message whenever low flow rates below 60 l/h persist for longer than 10 minutes. BWT explains that consistently low flow rates indicate a problem in the pipe network, such as a leak, a dripping drain tap or a leaky toilet cistern. Behaviour on other BWT softeners may vary, and an AQA Watch alert by itself never proves that the water meter or control unit is defective.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumeditorial warning
Unlike AQA Stop, the AQA Watch function issues a warning message without shutting off the water supply: if you suspect a hidden pipe leak, close the isolation valve until a plumber checks it.
Evidence: BWT Perla seta Sistema de tratamiento de agua potable duplex - Instrucciones de montaje y de servicio · BWT Perla Simplex DT water softener with disinfection and IoT - Installation and operating manual
- Loweditorial warning
Do not deactivate AQA Watch under Settings > Device configuration just to silence the alert before checking every tap and toilet cistern in the building.
Evidence: BWT Perla seta Sistema de tratamiento de agua potable duplex - Instrucciones de montaje y de servicio · BWT Perla Simplex DT water softener with disinfection and IoT - Installation and operating manual
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Leaky toilet cistern or dripping tap in the buildingCommon
BWT explicitly names a dripping drain tap or a leaky toilet cistern as typical causes of a flow rate under 60 l/h lasting more than 10 minutes.
Evidence: BWT Perla seta Sistema de tratamiento de agua potable duplex - Instrucciones de montaje y de servicio · BWT Perla Simplex DT water softener with disinfection and IoT - Installation and operating manual
- Small leak in the downstream domestic pipe networkPossible
Consistently low flow rates (< 60 l/h for longer than 10 minutes) when no water is intentionally being drawn point to a leak in the pipeline network.
Evidence: BWT Perla seta Sistema de tratamiento de agua potable duplex - Instrucciones de montaje y de servicio · BWT Perla home Simplex softening unit - Installation and operating manual · BWT Perla Simplex DT water softener with disinfection and IoT - Installation and operating manual
- Unusual slow water draw lasting over 10 minutesPossible
Any appliance or outlet drawing a trickle of water below 60 l/h continuously for over 10 minutes triggers the AQA Watch warning message.
Evidence: BWT Perla seta Sistema de tratamiento de agua potable duplex - Instrucciones de montaje y de servicio · BWT Perla Simplex DT water softener with disinfection and IoT - Installation and operating manual
Virtual technician
Does AQA Watch still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
- 2
BWT Perla home Simplex softening unit - Installation and operating manual
BWT · 2019 · official_doc
- 3
BWT Perla Simplex DT water softener with disinfection and IoT - Installation and operating manual
BWT · 2026 · official_doc
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