What is a water meter?
A water meter is a device that records how much water your household uses. The water meter is typically located in your basement, near the main water shut-off valve, where the water service line comes into your home.
The water meter is connected to a meter reading device, located on the outside of your home, that displays your water consumption and sends it to your utility provider. This information is then used to generate your monthly utility bill.
Strathcona County previously used both iPerl and Omni Meters, but is currently transitioning all meters to Sensus meters.
Water use is measured in cubic meters (m3). Water meters typically have flow indicators on the meter face to show water usage. You can use this flow indicator to troubleshoot possible leaks on your property. If your flow indicator is moving, and everything that uses water in your house is turned off, you have a leak somewhere.
Reading your water meter
Start with the number on the left. Reading your meter is like reading the odometer of your car, except that it measures cubic meters (m3) of water instead of miles. Your meter might look slightly different, but all meters work in the same general way.
Water meters are very accurate. All meters are calibrated and tested in the factory before they are shipped. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) only allow for an error rate of 1.5 percent.
As they age, water meters can slow down and can stop registering completely, but they cannot run faster. The mechanical parts of a water meter are not capable of speeding up to register a significantly higher reading than your actual consumption.
Water Leaks & Conservation
A high meter reading indicates an unknown change in water use. Sometimes it may be due to the household using more water but not realizing, such as flushing the toilet more if people are working from home or filling a swimming pool or hot tub in the summer.
An unusually high water reading can also be caused by a leak.
To see if you have a leak in your home, follow these steps:
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Locate your water meter. You will most likely find it in the basement near the furnace or hot water tank.
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Before you go to bed for the night, ensure that there is no water running. Remember that the humidifier is mounted on the furnace.
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Take a reading of your water meter before you go to bed and another early in the morning. Compare results to see if any water was lost during the night. If there is no water running in your house and the red dial is moving, you have a leak.
Looking for common water leaks:
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Check under your sink(s) for any signs of a water leak.
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Check your dishwasher for leaks, especially the hose connection.
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Check your washing machine for leaks, especially the hose connection and door gasket.
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Check your toilet for leaks by placing a few drops of dye in the tank and seeing if it shows up in the bowl. If it does, you have a leak.
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Check your irrigation system for leaks by looking for dark, wet spots in your landscaping.
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Check your outdoor faucets and hose bibs for leaks.
Plumbing leaks are not limited to faucets and toilets. Depending on the age of your house, high water use may be caused by underground plumbing leaks that you can’t readily see. If you see your meter ticking over with all the water in the house turned off, you may have this type of leak. A plumber is the best person to help you locate this type of leak.
Even a small leak can waste a lot of water.
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A hole in a pipe that’s 1/16” can waste 280,000L (280 m3) of water in 3 months.
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A hole in a pipe that’s ¼” can waste in 4,475,000L (4,475 m3) of water in 3 months.
You can learn more leak fixing tips and water conservation measures.
Keep is a clear path to your water meter
Make sure there is a clear path to the remote reading device for your water meter. Keeping a path clear of snow, lawn furniture, toys, hoses etc. will ensure the meter reader can get to your reading device to get consistent water readings.
The reading device for your water meter is a small black box, generally located beside your gas or power meter. Most are located at the side of houses, but some may be located at the back of the house, over a deck or flower garden.
Utilities
Phone: 780-467-7785
Email: scutilities@strathcona.ca
