Meter Reading

STEP 1   Locate your meter box, Remove the lid by using a tool such as a large screwdriver. Insert the tool into one of the holes and pry the lid off.

STEP 2   Once you open the meter box lid. On the face of the meter, there is a large dial and a display of numbers. Each rotation of the dial measures 1 gallon. Read the number display from left to right, like on the odometer of a car. This is your meter reading. The District meters measure water in gallons.. Charges for the amount of water consumed are rounded to the nearest hundred gallons used during a billing period. Compare that reading to what your bill states as your current or present reading.  Example: If your meter reads 8765432.1 on the day that we read meters, the present reading on your water bill will read 8765400

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.

To See Our Meters click here...


Leaks

You may have a water leak of which you are unaware.  It's easy to check, simply follow these instructions:

SERVICE LINE (A leak between the water meter and the house.)

  • Find the water meter
  • Turn off all running water and water-using appliances, and do not flush the toilet.
  • Read the dial on the water meter and record the reading.  After 15 to 20 minutes, re-check the reading.
  • If no water has been used and the reading has changed, a leak is occurring.  The rate (gallon per minute) of the leak can be determined by dividing the number of gallons by the elapsed time.
  • If the leak cannot be found and fixed, a plumber should be called.  Before calling, check all toilets for silent leaks by following the instructions below.

When a toilet leaks, water escapes from the tank into the bowl.  Toilets are notorious for hidden or silent leaks, because leaks are seldom noticed unless the toilet "runs" after each flush (which can waste 4-5 gallons a minute).   To determine if the toilet is leaking do the following:

  • Look at the toilet bowl after the tank has stopped filling.  If water is still running into the bowl or if water can be heard running, the toilet is leaking.
  • Often times, however, the toilet may have a "silent leak".  To test for silent leak, mix a few drops of food coloring or place a dye capsule (available free of charge at our office) into the water in the toilet storage tank after the water has stopped running and the tank if full.  DO NOT FLUSH THE TOILET.  Wait for about 10 minutes, if the dye or food coloring appears in the toilet bowl, the toilet has a silent leak.
  • Leaks of this type are usually caused by a defective flush value (flapper) ball or a corroded or scaled valve seat.  Replacement balls and valves, which can be installed in less than 30 minutes, are available from most hardware and plumbing stores.

FAUCET LEAKS

Faucet leaks are obvious.  The cause of faucet leaks is frequently a worn washer that can be replaced with two or three hand tools.  Replacement washers can be purchased from most hardware and variety stores for only a few cents.