How to Read Your Water Meter

Study the household water meter below. Take the reading from the set of dials that looks like a car’s odometer. To read the meter, start from the left side and read only the first four digits.



At the beginning of the month the meter reads 28 units of water
(one unit equals 100 cubic feet or 750 gallons).

At the end of the month the meter shows 36 units of water.

The difference, or water consumed for the measuring period, is eight units or 6,000 gallons.
(Eight units x 750 gallons = 6,000 gallons)

Do You Have a Water Leak?

Most KUB water meters have a couple of ways to help you determine if your home has a leak. The red triangle on the meter pictured below is the most sensitive leak detector. The red sweep hand can also help you find a leak.

Here’s how to use the leak detector:

Make sure you are not using any water inside or outside your home. Check that the washer isn’t running, no one is showering or watering, etc.

Find the water meter box and carefully remove the cover and lift the top of the meter. (Watch for snakes or spiders in the meter well. Also, please do not operate any valves or perform any work in the meter well.)

Look at the red sweep hand, which is a flow indicator. It should not be moving if no one at your home is using water.

Find the red triangle leak detector on your meter. (Some meters may have a red star instead of a triangle.) If you are not using water, the detector should be still. If the leak detector moves when you are not using water, you may have a leak. If you suspect a leak, you or your plumbing contractor will want to repair it quickly to eliminate higher water bills.