Water meters
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- Meter reading
- Meter sizes
- New meter installation
- Meter exchange
- Moving a meter
- Leaky meters
- Frozen meters
- Meter testing
- Multiple metering
Meter reading
See water meter reading
- Meter sizes range from 5/8" to 10 inches.
- Meter size refers to opening of the meter where the water enters.
- Meter size is determined based on the maximum consumption demand of all plumbing fixtures to be installed in the building. For more information on water meter sizing, contact 311. For more information about internal pipes and plumbing configurations please contact your plumber.
New meter installation- We will turn on the water and install a new water meter at no cost under the following conditions:
- The building must have a valve installed, be accessible and be heated in the winter.
- The control valve at the property line must be operational and at grade.
- Meter sizes supplied and installed by the City:
- 5/8", 3/4" and 1-inch meters (include gaskets and tail pieces)
- 1 ½", 2", 3", 4", 6", 8" and 10-inch meters (include gaskets, nuts, bolts and companion flanges)
- Meter lengths without tail pieces or flanges:
- 5/8" meters are 7 ½ inches long
- 3/4" meters are 9 inches long
- 1" meters are 10 ¾ inches long
- 1½" meters are 13 inches long
- 2" meters are 17 inches long
- Meter lengths for larger-sized meters vary by manufacturer and pre-straining requirements
- Water meters are exchanged every five to 25 years, depending on meter size.
- Meters are replaced at no cost, unless the meter has been tampered with or damaged.
- Smaller-size, residential meters are usually changed in as little as 15 minutes.
Larger meters may take several hours.
- Meters may be moved to a more convenient location at the customer's expense.
- We do not move meters. It is up to you to make arrangements with a plumber to get this done.
- You must provide sufficient space as close as possible to the shut-off valve in the building to allow our crews to place the meter in a horizontal position.
- You must contact us to have the water turned off before relocating your meter.
- During hot summer months, condensation may form on cold water meters and the surrounding piping, giving the appearance of a leak.
- Brass meter connections (tail pieces) found on 5/8 to 1 inch meters may leak if disturbed. Meter connections are the property of the City and are repaired at no cost.
- Meter leaks should be reported immediately to prevent property damage and water loss.
- Water meter leaks may be controlled by closing the shut off valve by the meter.
- You are responsible for and own the shut off valve and surrounding piping. Contact a plumber for valve problems or leaks inside your property.
- Meters can leak if they are exposed to sub-zero temperatures.
- To prevent frost damage, ensure the area near the meter is well heated or the meter and surrounding piping are well insulated.
- If a water meter is damaged, we will replace the meter at your expense.
Meter testing- New meters are tested at random for quality control before being installed.
- Meters do not have batteries. The dial hand and register move as water passes through the meter.
- High consumption readings are most often caused by internal household leaks from toilets and taps.
- Rates for meter testing
Multiple metering
Multiple metering is usually found in condo units, duplexes or strip malls. The building is serviced by one water pipe. Inside a utility room the pipe is split into individual water lines, with each line having its own meter and tag to identify the unit it serves.
A permit is required for installing multiple metering. Permits can be obtained by contacting 311. Once a permit is received, an account then needs to be set up for each meter.
For more information
Contact 311.
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This page was last updated on January 5, 2010 |
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