How To Read Your Water Meter

Straight-read meter

Round-read meter

Use your meter to check for leaks

Meters measure water in units of cubic feet. One cubic foot of water equals about seven and one-half gallons. There are a few types of meters: the straight read meter, which resembles the mileage-indicator on an automobile speedometer; the round-read meter that has separate dials; and the touchread meter that allows the meter reader to use a wand device over the surface of the meter for reading the measurements. To determine your water usage, you’ll need to read your meter at the beginning and at the end of the particular cycle you want to track. For example, both the straight and round registers illustrated below read 336,600 cubic feet. If, the last time your meter was read, it indicated 330,000, your consumption for the current billing period would be 6,600 cubic feet (or 66 units) of water. It would look like this on your bill:

Ignore the last two numbers and the "one" dial; read from the left.

Ignore the two bottom right-hand dials, and the "one" dial. Read from the bottom left and move clockwise, reading the lower number (i.e, if meter is in between numbers, the lower of the two is used).

You can use your meter to check for leaks in your system. Simply make sure no water is running, then read your meter. Go back about 10 minutes later. If no water has been used during that time, your meter should read the same. If the "one" dial has moved, chances are you have a water leak.

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