General Meter Information

Rules and Regulations Regulating the Sale of Water - Resolution No. 2005-86

How to Read Your Meter

1. Locate Your Meter

Water meters are typically located near the curb in front of the house or business. Your meter can be found underground in a concrete box marked WATER. Remove the meter box lid carefully using a tool such as a large screwdriver. For your safety, please visually inspect the inside of the meter box before attempting to access the meter (spiders, including Black Widows, are known to nest in meter boxes). Remove the cap covering the face of the meter.

2. Read Your Meter

Reading a water meter is similar to reading an automobile odometer. Most meters have a seven digit number on the face called the readout. This number shows the total number of gallons used since the meter's installation. When water flows through the meter onto your property, all of the numbers revolve except for the last number on the right which is fixed at zero.

The large sweephand registers for this last digit - revolving one time for every ten gallons used.

3. Calculate Your Water Use

To calculate your water consumption, choose a starting point at which to read your meter; record the date and the meter reading. Recheck your meter 24 hours or 48 hours later to determine your usage. Subtract the first reading from the second to calculate the consumption.

For Example: Second reading ----------- 0252060 gallons

First reading --------------- 0253480 gallons

Water consumption ------- 1420 gallons

The City measures consumption in one (1) thousand gallons.

4. Check for Household Leaks

Your water meter can help you determine if your home or irrigation systems are leaking. The small triangle on the face of the meter is the low flow indicator. It will rotate with even very low flow through the meter. To check for leaks, turn off all water uses inside and outside the house. When no water is being used, the low flow indicator should not move at all.

If the low flow meter is moving, there is water flowing somewhere on your property. To further pinpoint the location of the leak, turn off the house shut-off valve (usually located at the front of the house near the hose bib). If the low flow indicator continues moving, water is flowing outside the house (most likely in the irrigation system or the pipes leading from the meter to the house). If the low flow indicator stops moving when you turn off the house shut-off valve, water is flowing inside the house (perhaps due to a toilet leak, dripping faucet or pipe, or other leaking appliance).

Be sure to put the cap back on the meter and replace the meter box lid carefully after you finish reading your meter.

Leaks - High Water Usage

The City of Rohnert Park recognizes that there are circumstances, which result in the unintended high water usage. Leaks are often silent or invisible. Although detection and repair of leaks on the property and/or the property owner's side of the meter are the responsibility of the customer, the Sonoma County Water Agency offers Rohnert Park residents free property evaluations to assist customers in locating leaks and identifying techniques to lower water usage. To receive a free evaluation of your property contact Water Smart Home Program at (707) 547-1910.

Saving water will help lower your water bill! Locating and repairing leaks is the number one (1) way to lower water consumption, but there are many other ways to reduce your water use both inside the home and outside on your property. If you would like ideas on reducing your water consumption, you can find information in the Conservation Tips Brochure.

If you would like to monitor your water usage or check for leaks by examining your meter, you can find information on How to Read Your Meter.

If you have discovered a leak and made the necessary repairs, we will adjust your bill if the following requirements are met:

• There must be evidence that the excessive water use was not due to willful or negligent acts of the customer

• Complete the Report of High Water Usage form and return it to the Utility Department for review

• Submit a copy of the repair bill or receipts with the completed form.

• If the Water Smart Home Program evaluated your home and found a leak, please include a copy of that report with completed form and repair bill.

Leak adjustments apply only to the current billing cycle. The adjustment will not be retroactive.

Water Smart Home Program

The Water Smart Home Program, a service provided by Sonoma County Water Agency, offers a free property assessment to all Rohnert Park residents and businesses. The assessment includes a free indoor and outdoor evaluation that will check for leaks; including those in toilets, faucets, and at the meter. The program evaluates the irrigation systems, timers and watering schedule, to determine water saving opportunities. Following the visit, the participant receives the evaluation results and water-savings recommendations. To schedule a free home evaluation call (707) 547-1910.