Q&A for How to Read a Water Meter

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How can I use my water meter to tell if I have a leak?

Mike Garcia
Licensed Landscape Contractor
Mike Garcia is a Licensed Landscape Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a full-service landscape design and construction firm in Los Angeles, California. With over 30 years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable landscape practices. Mike holds an Ornamental Horticulture degree, C-27 Landscape Contractor and D-49 Tree Service Contractor licenses, and Permaculture Design, California Naturalist, International Certified Professional Pond Contractor, and Pond Building certifications. He is one of eight Internationally Certified Pond Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won landscape and water feature awards from the International Professional Pond Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Association of Pond Professionals (NAPP), and the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). Mike is a past president of the CLCA and currently serves on their local Board of Directors. Enviroscape LA has been featured in PONDS USA Magazine, Pond and Garden Lifestyles Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Extreme Home Makeover, HGTV's Landscapers Challenge, and A & E's series Fix That Yard.

Mike Garcia

Licensed Landscape Contractor

Expert Answer

Most water meters have a leak detector you can check. If the dial on the detector is spinning, this typically means you have a leak.

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Question

If my water meter was on 17 and is now on 25 how much water have I used?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

The difference is 8, but depending on how that number is measured, it is undetermined until you find out what it truly means.

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Question

Can I get a single phase 400 amp instrument meter?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

A 400 amp instrument meter would most likely read the power consumption and not the flow of water. Those types of meters are called flow meters.

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Question

How do I correct a water meter that reads backwards?

Community Answer

If it is registering backwards, it probably was installed backwards. Turning it around should correct it, however, it should be done by the water provider.

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Question

How do I calculate my water usage?

Community Answer

First, find the odometer on the water meter, then identify whether it is measured by gallons, imperial gallons, or cubic meters. Each part will have the different calculation to convert it into liters. Take the first reading and the end reading and subtract. Take the difference and convert it into gallons, imperial gallons, or cubic meters.

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Question

How can I convert my meter to cubic measurements?

Mark Beatty

Community Answer

Physically, you would need to buy a replacement top register for the increment needed from the meter manufacturer. Numerically it's just a math conversion: 7.48 US gallons = 1 cubic foot, 264 US gallons = 1 cubic meter.

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Question

How do I check to see if a meter is exaggerating the amount of water used?

Community Answer

First, make sure you are not leaking. Read your meter, fill up 20 gallons of water buckets, turn the water off tight, re-read the meter, and do the math.

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Question

How can I tell if my water meter is broken?

Community Answer

Turn on your water and go to your water meter. You should see a small triangle or something similar, and it should be turning. If it's not turning, the water meter is not functioning correctly.

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Question

How do I subtract a reading on 100 gallon water meter?

Community Answer

Drop the last two digits from the reading, then subtract the current month's reading from last months. The number you get will tell you how many gallons you've used in that time.

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Question

How can I estimate the amount of my water bill using submeter readings?

Community Answer

Contact the company that provides water (or local government) to determine the rate you're paying, or look back at older bills and divide the amount of the bill by the amount of water consumed. Then, get the monthly reading from the submeter, and multiply this number by the rate.

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Question

What should I do if I haven't received a bill for my water use?

Community Answer

Call your billing company -- usually your city hall or a water works company depending on the size of the town you live in -- and tell them you have not received your bill. Not receiving your bill does not exempt you from having to pay it, or from the fees or consequences that follow non-payment. Most the time it is lost in the mail. You can also contact your post office if you feel they are the reason for not receiving your bill.

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Question

How do I get daily water consumption from my water meter?

Donagan

Top Answerer

The easiest way to do this is to take a monthly reading and then divide by the number of days since the last reading.

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Question

Who's responsible for replacing a faulty water meter?

Community Answer

Generally, the utility company is responsible for the meter and everything leading into the meter. You are responsible for everything coming from the meter to your residence and inside your residence. However, this may vary depending on your area.

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Question

Is my water meter malfunctioning if the main switch is turned off and it's triangle is still continuing to run?

Community Answer

If you are referring to the main shut off valve inside your home as the "main switch," this simply means that there is water being used somewhere between the meter and that shut off valve. For example: If your meter is at the street and your shut off valve is in the house, if you shut off the valve inside and the meter continues to spin, that is an indication that water is running outside the home (possible leak).

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Question

Do I need to pay for my water meter if I haven't used it for a month?

Community Answer

Most utility companies have a minimum water bill each month even if you’re not using your water meter during that month. This is typically known as a "supply charge," which you need to pay or they won't keep supplying the water to you.

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