Locating the Water Meter
The water meter is generally located near the curb in front of your home. Water meters are typically housed in a concrete box usually marked “water.” 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 that there are no harmful insects or other animals.
How To Read The Water Meter
Measuring water use is as easy as checking your water meter on a regular basis. Many residents have a straight-reading meter. These meters have often been compared to a car odometer in terms of appearance.
To measure your water use with this type of meter, jot down the numbers in the dial boxes as your starting point. These numbers show how many cubic feet of water have been used to date. Wait for a day, a week, or a month (depending upon how frequently you’d like to check) and then read the numbers again. Subtract your previous reading from the current reading to find out how many cubic feet of water you’ve used. Each cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons.
Once you know how to read your water meter, it’s time to put that knowledge to work for you. Finding water leaks can save you water, which means you save money on your bill. To check for invisible or slow leaks; turn off all water taps inside and outside your home. Record the meter reading and mark the position of the dial hand, after two to three hours check for movement. If the meter reading has changed, or the dial hand has moved, you may have a leak.
Checking For Leaks
A dripping hose or water faucet can add up. Even the smallest leak could translate to several gallons of water wasted every hour. In order to check for unseen leaks you will need to learn how to read your water meter.
To perform the leak-check, turn off all water using fixtures inside and outside your home or building, lift the meter lid, then record the position of the sweep hand and all of the numbered digits on the totalizer. Wait about 15 minutes and then record the position of the sweep hand and the numbered digits again. If the position of the sweep hand and the digits has not changed, your plumbing system is leak free. If there is a change, water must be passing through the meter in spite of your fixtures being turned off; in other words there must be a leak somewhere on the property. Check your fixtures and pipes for leaks or call a qualified plumber.
If you want to check the rate of leakage or the rate of any running plumbing fixture for that matter, refer back to the aforementioned sweep hands. Each notch on the dial represents 1/10 of a cu/ft. (1 cubic foot is equal to 7.48 gallons) Record the usage for one minute. For example, if the hand moves 10 notches in one minute, then the leak or usage is 7.48 gallons per minute. Just 1 gpm leak uses 1,440 gallons of water a day!
Whose Pipes Are Whose
Rowland Water District is responsible for what is called the street side of the water meter, including all water mains in the street and continuing through the community distribution system. If you notice a water leak in the street or in the area of your water meter, call RWD Customer Service at (562) 697-1726 to report it.
The property owner is responsible for maintenance of water lines on the customer side of the water meter. This means the interior plumbing of the home, the outside irrigation system, and the area where the property’s water system connects to the water meter.
Temporary Interruption of Service For Repairs or Improvements:
The District reserves the right at any time, with or without notice to shut off the water in all or any of its mains or services for the purpose of making installations, improvements, repairs, removals or extensions, or for the purpose of performing any other work or act reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with the operation of said system, or to meet any emergency on any part of the system, or in any part of the District.