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How to Read Your Meter

Reading and understanding your water meter is important in tracking and managing your groundwater use. As a permit holder, you are required to record how much Edwards Aquifer groundwater you use on a monthly and annual basis, and to report this information to the EAA each year. These reports should include meter readings for the amount of groundwater pumped from your well(s). Monitoring and accounting for your groundwater use throughout the year helps the EAA manage the aquifer, and can help you avoid pumping more than your annual authorized withdrawal amount.

Instructional Examples

Reading a water meter is similar to reading the odometer in your car. Learning how to read your meter correctly can help you identify leaks and discover ways to conserve water. Of the many types of meters used on the market, the following examples include three of the more common meters used throughout the region.

water meter

Example 1

On the face of the meter there is a large dial and a display of numbers. Read and record the number display from left to right exactly as it appears, including any fixed zeros to the right of the number shown. The face of the meter indicates this meter reads in gallons.

Meter #1 (above) reads 1,857,030 total gallons. Notice that the zero at the end is included in the reading, and no decimal points have been added.

To convert this number to acre-feet, divide the total gallons by 325,851 (325,851 equals one acre-foot).

For example: 1,857,030 / 325,851 = 5.699 total acre-feet.

water meter

Example 2

On the face of the meter there is a large dial and a display of numbers. Read and record the number display from left to right exactly as it appears, including any fixed zeros to the right of the number shown. The face of the meter indicates this meter reads in gallons.

Meter #2 reads 43,059,700 total gallons. Notice that the set zeros at the end of the dial are included in the reading, and no decimal points have been added.

To convert this number to acre-feet, divide the total gallons by 325,851 (325,851 equals one acre-foot). For example: 43,059,700 / 325,851 132.145 total acre-feet.

water meter

Example 3

The dial reads 183750 and the face of the meter indicates this meter reads in acre-feet X .001

Therefore, Meter #3 reads 183.750 acre-feet.