Reading Your Water Meter

Reading your water meter is like reading the odometer of your car. Read all of the numbers from left to right that appear under the words “Cubic Feet.”


The first digit on the right represents one cubic foot. The second from the right represents 10 cubic feet. The third from the right (usually a different color) represents 100 cubic feet (one ccf) 748 gallons. One revolution of the meter sweep hand equals one cubic foot, or 7.48 gallons.


Locate the blue pin-wheel shaped low flow indicator to the left of the dial. If you see this moving when all of your water is turned off, you may have a leak. 


Reading your meter yourself can help you monitor your water use, check for suspected leaks, or experiment with efficient landscape watering.

Water Meter

How to Detect a Water Leak (Video)

How Can I Tell if I Have a Leak?

Here is a simple way to determine if you have water loss:

  • Turn off all faucets and water-using appliances
  • Locate your water meter and lift the cover to view the meter dial.
  • Note the position of the red sweep hand and small blue low flow indicator.
  • Don’t use any water. You may see movement immediately if you have a large amount of loss.
  • Wait 20 to 30 minutes. Check the position of the red sweep hand and small blue low flow indicator. If it has moved, you may have water loss occurring in your system. Each complete revolution of the red sweep hand equals 7.48 gallons of water use.
  • If your meter has a low flow indicator and you notice movement while your water is off, then you likely have water loss.
  • If you have noted any increase in your meter reading, it is now time to check for areas of probable water loss.

Once a leak has been fixed and you have verified that there is no movement on the meter, please call Customer Service at 253-631-0565 to see if you qualify for a one-time leak adjustment on your bill.

Should you find water in your meter box, please contact the district by email or call 253-631-0565.