Why Read Your Water Meter
Even though, we are no longer a self-read water system, and are having our meters read by meter readers, you may periodically want to check your meter, such as for leaks. If you turn off all the taps in your house, look at your meter and if the dial is still turning, chances are you have a leak somewhere. Here are some tips to help you find and read your water meter.
Locate Your Meter
Your water meter is generally located near the road in front of your home . Outside meters are typically housed in a a meter pit with a cast iron lid. Carefully remove the lid by using a tool such as a large screwdriver or pliers
Meter Cover
Once the Meter Lid is removed, inside the well, you will see the meter. It will have a cover to protect the actual meter, with numbers on it. DO NOT USE THESE NUMBERS - they never change. We use these numbers in the office and you never need to report them.
Reading Your Meter
Water meters in the U.S. typically measure volume in gallons. Our water charges are typically based on 1,000 gallon units.
This is an example of a meter. So in this example, the meter would list this current reading as PRESENT READINGand would read as 505,890 gallons, HOWEVER, it is read only in the thousands of gallons, so the reading listed for billing purposes, would list the numbers in the white-background as 505,000 gallons. (On your bill, it is listed as 505.)
The numbers in the black-background are not used, as they reflect usage less than 1,000. We do not use those numbers in the black-background to round up/down either. If however, you are looking for a leak, and have all the taps turned off in your house, those black background numbers may help you see you are losing gallons. You may also see that little dial spinning around, which also would reflect water flowing.
The diagram below reflects how those numbers are "read". Photo courtesy of Thoroughbred Utility Manager.
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