Meter Reading

PWSD No. 12 uses the Neptune Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system for monthly readings.  These meters are 100% Made in the USA and have the latest technology, including the storage of 90+ days of hourly readings.  Our field workers read meters on the 15th of each month (or the first business day after) by driving past meters and capturing each meter's unique ID number along with a reading. If more detailed usage is needed to help verify a leak, etc., our workers can pull the hourly usage from the last 90 days and send it to the office to be printed.  If you would like to verify your meter's reading with the reading on your bill, please follow the steps below or contact our office for assistance.


STEP 1 - Locate your meter pit, generally found towards the front of a property, near the street.  The pit is typically in a direct line with the main outside faucet.  It is housed under a cast iron cover that is about 12" in diameter.  It will have a flat, round antenna on top, be careful not to damage the wire connecting this.  Remove the cover.

STEP 2 - Once you open the meter pit cover, lift the protective lid on the meter.  The meter is electronic and requires a bright light on the solar panel to activiate the display.  This helps conserve power and provides for a 20-year battery life in the meter.  Meters measure water in gallons.  Note the reading and pay special attention to the decimal point.  Compare that reading to what your bill states as your current or present reading.  Charges for the amount of water consumed are rounded to the nearest ten gallons used during a billing period.

STEP 3 - Keep in mind that you might be checking your meter on a date different from the one used for billing.  This could result in a difference in the amount you find, compared with the amount on which your bill is based.  If your reading is considerably higher than what is on your bill, check for a leak or try to determine the source of large water use.  If your reading is significantly lower than the reading on your bill, please contact us and let us assist you in determining the problem.

STEP 4 - Every water meter includes a leak indicator.  This is shown by the symbol of a faucet on the digital display.  If this leak indicator is flashing, you likely have an intermittent leak, if it is on steady, you likely have a continuous leak and if it is not visable, no leak has been detected recently.  Please contact our office during regular business hours and a member of our field staff will meet with you to assist you in determining if there is a leak.  There is no charge for this service if performed during our regular hours.

Please Note:  Occasionally we need to estimate a meter reading due to a variety of circumstances.  When this occurs, the customer is billed at an average usage for the past twelve months.  When we obtain a true reading, the bill will be adjusted to reflect actual usage.

Neptune Meter