Conservation Tips from SWD16
There are several reasons why you'd want to be able to locate and read your water meter. First, you might be interested in just how much water you use in a day. By reading your meter at the beginning and the end of the day you can compare the two totals to tell how much water you and your family used. The second reason is to check for leaks. If you turn off all the taps in your house, look at your meter and it is still turning, chances are you have a leak somewhere. Here are some hints to help you find and read your water meter.
Step 1: Locate Your Meter
Your water meter is generally located near the curb in front of your home. Carefully remove the lid by using a tool such as a large screwdriver or pliers. Visually examine the area around the meter to make sure there are no harmful insects or other animals.
Step 2: Read Your Water Meter
The type of meters the district uses are of the straight-reading meter type, which resemble an odometer in a car and measure volume in cubic feet. One cubic foot = 7.48 gallons and 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons.
How to Read a Straight-Reading Meter
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In the meter shown in Figure 1, the reading is taken from the figures shown under the words CUBIC FEET. The meter reads 81710.03 which is the total number of cubic feet of water recorded since the meter was installed. |
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The meter shown in Figure 2 is brand new, hence the reading for this meter is 0.00. The small blue triangle (just to the right of the "35") is the low flow indicator. That triangle will spin if any water is flowing through the meter. This indicator can be useful in leak detection. |
- Efficient water use can save you money on water & utility bills.
- Clean vegetables in a pan of water and not under a running faucet. Water used to clean vegetables can also be used to water houseplants.
- Check faucets and pipes for leaks. A small drip can waste 20 or more gallons of water per day.
- Each flush wastes water. Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket.
- Keep a bottle or pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator. This eliminates letting the tap run while waiting for the water to get cold.
