The water meter in your home is owned and operated by the water company in your county. They are installed by them and if there is a problem with your water meter then your water utility company is who you call for help.

The way water meters work is by measuring how much flow of water enters your home over the course of a month. It measures only how much volume has flowed into your house. It cannot give you any other specific information about where that water is being used.

When you turn on a faucet or your shower or use your dishwasher or washing machine, you are more than likely getting that water from your town’s utility company.

As that waster flows into your home, it’s measured by the water meter. The purpose being to tell your utility company how much water you are using so that they know what to charge you on your next water bill.

The Components Of A Water Meter

There are basically 4 components that make up a water meter. They are:

  1. Registration Unit – this is the measurement that the water meter is measuring in. Here in Georgia that should read “Gallons”. So, your water meter is measuring how many gallons of water is being used.
  2. Reading Numbers – this is the rolling set of numbers that you see on your meter that shows you how many total units (i.e. gallons of water) you have used.
  3. Sweep Hand – analog water meters have a sweep hand very much like a clock. This should slowly move from one number to the next number and it tells you how many units (i.e. gallons of water) is being used at this very moment.
  4. Leak Detector – your water meter should have a very small part that can look like a triangle or a little wheel. This only moves if your meter detects a leak.

How Long Should My Water Meter Last?

The average water meter will last for 15-20 years, but some have been known to continue working properly for up to 25 years. If you’re getting close to what may be the end of your meter’s life cycle and worry that your meter may be inaccurate, it’s time to get a new one so that the bill won’t come as such an unpleasant surprise in the future!

Contact your water utility company for information on how to get that replaced.

If you have any questions about water meters or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.