Meet: The Water Meter

A water meter is a device that measures the volume of water delivered to a property. Some water meters measure water in gallons while others measure in cubic feet.

Most residential water meters are located near the curb or sidewalk at the front of the property in a concrete "box." The water meter box will have a metal or plastic lid and may be marked, "Water Meter."

Use a long screwdriver to remove the lid. However, be cautious as insects, reptiles or other small animals occasionally take residence inside the boxes. Some water meters will have a small, hinged cover while others may not. Lift the cover and use a damp rag to wipe the face clean.

The large sweep hand on the dial measures water use in gallons or cubic feet. One gallon or one cubic foot of water passes through the water meter as the sweep hand moves from one number to the next (e.g., 0 to 1). A complete rotation equals 10 gallons or 10 cubic feet depending on the unit measured. Most analog dials have a low-flow indicator that turns as water moves through the water meter. This typically looks like a small triangle (shown), star or gear.

Analog Example: The sweep hand is on the "1" so the read is 1,356,411 gallons. The last number on the right is a static zero (does not change). When the sweep hand is on the "3" the read will be 1,356,413 gallons. When you record your reading in the Leak Detection Test, make sure to use the number indicated by the sweep arm as the final digit.