INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOW TO CHECK FOR A LEAK AT YOUR METER

**In the event of high usage or concerns that you may have a leak, please review the following information. The District does not service any lines past the meter, from the meter to the house, barns, etc. are the landowner’s responsibility.

First you will need to locate your meter pit. These are typically located at the end of a drive or near the road. There will be a round metal lid marked “water meter” and you need to open the lid to access the meter. (Sometimes using the back of a claw hammer may help). The meter is located inside the pit. If you see wires attached, please gently lay the lid to the side taking care not to disconnect the wires. There is no electricity attached to the wires, and it is still safe to access the meter pit.

If there is water inside the pit, you will need to use something to scoop out the water or by using a pump if you have one available. Some meter pits may regularly hold water. It may also be from run off due to weather conditions, or could be from a potential leak.

Next you will need to determine what type of meter you have.

Regular Meters:

INSTRUCTIONS:

First make sure there is no water running inside or outside.

1. Next check the meter. Please do not turn off the meter when checking for a leak. If the meter is off it will prevent any water from passing through your service line and will affect your results. (You may need to take something to wipe off the meter face. It is not uncommon for the meters to build up a dirty film which can give the appearance of a cap/lid).
2. Make sure the red triangle Δ is not spinning. If the triangle is spinning (and you are not aware of any water being used) there is water passing through the meter and may be indicating a leak or something is running.
3. If the meter is not spinning, take a reading. It will read like a car odometer. There will be seven digits; the last digit is a non-moving zero. (Please write down your readings, this will help if you need any assistance from the District Office.)
4. Do not use any water for at least thirty minutes, if possible, wait one hour.
5. Then after that time, take another reading to see if it has changed. If it has, there is water passing through the meter and you may have a leak.

E-Coder Meter Sets:

INSTRUCTIONS:

First make sure there is no water running inside or outside.

Most Ecoders will have a black lid on a hinge on the meter. You will need to lift open the lid to see the meter face.  You will see a solar panel and digital reading box.  Sometimes the numbers may not be visible because the meter is “sleeping.” If that happens, you can wake up the meter by shining a bright flashlight onto the solar panel (similar to the picture above).  It may take 15-30 seconds for the reading to appear. (If the meter begins to flash the code”low light” you will need a brighter light source.)

Once the meter is awake, the numbers will become visible.

Next take a reading, wait 30-60 minutes without using water, and then take another reading. If the reading changes, water is being used. You can also check the Flow Rate on the meter to see if it is indicating use at any time.

***See chart below for additional information regarding the symbols on the meter:

***If you find that you have a leak, the water can be turned on and off at the meter when not in use to help minimize the water loss until you can get the leak repaired. You can repeat the previous steps to narrow down possible locations for a leak by using shut off valves (if available), such as a shut off to the house or any outside hydrants.

During extremely cold temperatures, make sure the meter pit lid is securely closed when not in use to prevent the meter from freezing.