STEP 1 Locate your meter box, generally found towards the front of a property, near the street curb or in the backalley. The box is typically in a direct line with the main outside faucet. It is housed in a cast iron, plastic or concrete box. Remove the lid by using a tool such as a large screwdriver.
STEP 2 Once you open the meter box lid, lift the protective cap on the meter. On the face of the meter, there is a digital screen and a display of numbers. For the residential meter, usage is measured in single gallons. Read the number display from left to right. This is your meter reading. Charges for the amount of water consumed are rounded to the nearest thousand gallons used during a billing period. Compare that reading to what your bill states as your current or present reading.
STEP 3 Keep in mind that you might be checking your meter on a date different from the one used for billing. This could result in a difference in the amount you find, compared with the amount on which your bill is based. However, if your reading is considerably higher than what is on your bill, check for a leak or try to determine the source of large water use. If your reading is significantly lower than the reading on your bill, please contact us and let us assist you in determining the problem.
METER LEAK INDICATOR
Every residential meter has a leak indicator in the top right of the screen. Also there is an instant usage indicator in the top left of the screen and should read 000.0 GPM when no water is being used. If it is showing usage when all water is off, YOU HAVE A LEAK! Leaks can't entirely be prevented and some could be costly. However, they can be minimized with a simple observation. Remember, when in doubt - check it out!
