Locating Your Meter Box

• For Residential Customers: In most cases, the water meter is located at the front of the property near the street.
• For Commercial Customers: In most cases, the water meter is located at the front of the property, or could be located in the back or side of property under ground. In some cases depending on the size of the commercial property, the meter will be locked in a large vault. In these cases, do not attempt to obtain a reading. Please contact FPUD to obtain a reading of the meter.
• When looking at the water meter, locate the white numbers on the right side of the meter dial with the black background. These numbers count the number of gallons of water that have passed through your meter.

Determining Your Water Usage

Use the following example to help read your meter:

• Select a day to take an initial water meter reading.
   
• Write down the numbers you see on the meter odometer. (ex. 0260000)
   
• After a period of time has passed (such as a day or week), read your meter again. (ex. new reading of 0263000)
   
• Subtract your first reading from the second reading. This is your water usage for that period. (ex. 0263000�0260000 = 3000)
   
• The 3000 figure indicates that 3,000 gallons of water have been used during the time period between the two readings.

If you have any questions about reading your meter please contact us during business hours.

How to Detect Leaks

A small leak, about the size of a pin head, dripping at one drop per second can add up to 7 gallons of water a day. A large leak, the kind most often found in toilets, can waste 200 gallons of water or more per day! Check out the following when you suspect a leak:

Faucets

Check faucets in the bathroom and kitchen periodically. Worn washers are most often the cause of dripping faucets.

Sprinkler Systems

Broken sprinkler heads or damaged underground pipes are common sources of sprinkler system leaks. Watch your system run at least once per month to spot problems early. Usually, leaks are easy to fix.

Do-it-yourself books with easy to follow instructions are available at libraries and home improvement stores.

Toilets

Check toilets for leaks often. The most common causes of a leaking toilet are:

• float device set too high, which causes water to run into the overflow tube
• a warped or cracked flapper.

Inexpensive toilet leak kits are available at home improvement stores.

Do not forget to use your water meter to detect leaks.

Use your water meter to determine if you have a leak:

• Make sure no water is being used inside or outside (no washing machine filling, no shower running, no watering outdoors, etc.).
• Locate your water meter box. Carefully remove the cover and lift the top of the meter.
• Find the red Leak Indicator on the meter dial. If all of your water sources are off and the Leak Indicator is rotating, you may have a leak. Leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water in a just a few days. It pays to fix leaks promptly.