Facts about the Water Meters we use.

  • All meters are calibrated and tested in the factory before they are shipped to us.
  • The meter registers in gallons all of the water used in your home, as well as outdoor water use.
  • The design of the water meter does not allow SVUD to adjust the dials.
  • The meter dial is like the odometer on your car. It reads your water consumption and is a cumulative total of the water that has run through that meter since it was installed.
  • Much like an automobile or other mechanical device, the meter slows down with age and can eventually stop registering completely, but it cannot run faster than it was designed to run. The mechanical parts are not capable of “speeding up” or registering a significantly higher reading than actual usage.
  • As water flows through the meter, internal mechanisms turn to register usage by the gallon.

 

If you have a leak your water and sewer bill will be higher than normal. Follow these simple steps to determine if you have a leak in your water or lawn sprinkler lines.

 

Checking for a Leak

There are 2 different types of water meters in our district.  RG3 meters read with a digital display and Neptune meters read using a dial.

 

STEP 1

Turn off all water faucets, showers and water using appliances such as a washing machine or dish washer.

STEP 2

Locate your Water Meter Box with either a rectangular or round lid. Most Meter Boxes will be located on the front of your property close to the road.  Remove the lid carefully to prevent any injury.

STEP 3 (RG3)

RG3 meters will flash 3 separate screens.  One is your reading, one is the serial number of the meter register and the other is a vendor code.  Look for the display that has a reading similar to the last reading on your water bill.  Look at your Water Meter to locate the leak detector shown below. All Digital Meters have numbers that indicate your reading and 2 smaller digits in the up right for a leak detection. As water flows through the Meter, the smaller digits will count up to 100 in increments. Once the smaller digits have counted to 100, a gallon of water has flowed through the Meter. The smaller digits set back to zero and begin counting again.  Some versions will display the word LEAK below your reading if a leak exists. The 2 smaller digits in the lower right indicate how many gallons/minute your meter is flowing

RG3 & Neptune Comparison

If the larger numbers are moving it will be easy to notice a possible leak.  However, the leak detector can be used when there is the slightest amount of water flowing in your system.  Watch the leak detector to determine if any water is going through the Meter.

RESULTS: RG3 meter

If neither the leak detector nor large numbers are moving, there could still possibly be a leak. Write down the reading on the Meter with all larger numbers including the two smaller digits. In this example the reading before would be 1.30. Leave all water off for a few hours. Read the Meter again and write down the reading including the smaller digits. In this example the reading after a few hours would be 10.30. If any numbers are different including the smaller digits, water is going through the Meter. Seek assistance from a local plumber or Home Improvement Store.

STEP 3 (NEPTUNE)

The Neptune meters use a dial and sweep hand for leak detection.  As water flows through the meter the sweep hand will rotate in a clockwise direction to indicating flow.  The indicator measures in 1/100 of a gallon.  Each rotation will indicate 1/10 of a gallon of usage which is the last digit beyond the decimal place in the reading.  We only read to the gallon and do not include the last digit of the reading for billing.  To determine if a leak exists, watch the leak indicator to determine if any water is going through the Meter.

RESULTS: Neptune Meter

If the reading has not changed or the leak detector has not moved after the water is off for a few hours, then you may not have a leak.  To verify, write down all the numbers in  the reading on the Meter including the digit after the decimal place. Leave all water off for a few hours. Read the Meter again and write down the reading including the smaller digits. If any numbers are different including the last digit, water is going through the Meter. Seek assistance from a local plumber or Home Improvement Store.

 

It is possible more water was used than you realize or the Meter may have been misread. Please Call S.V.U.D. for assistance if you think the Meter was misread.

If you have any questions, please call SVUD at (423) 344-8440.