DIY / Extra water meter?

[JackOfDiamonds]

My water company generates water bills that appear almost random, and the same seems to happen to others in the neighborhood. No rhyme or reason.

I wish there was some way to install my own water meter and keep them honest. Is there any sort of water meter I can clamp around the outside of my water supply line? Or even install in the house, on where the main line comes in? Has anyone ever done something like that?

 

[Wrench97]

No numbers to read on your meter?
You would have to when they take the reading each month, if they are like mine it's just a guy driving around in a car with a receiver and and a laptop to pick up the reading from the wireless meter transmiters.
If he didn't make your neighborhood by the end of the billing cycle the bill is guesstimated....................

 

[LopezBart]

When I was camping in the desert w/ two teens at Burning Man, I added a water meter in the shower of our trailer to help users (both with long hair) how much water they were using... simple enough... but before you go that far: Does your water company support tracking usage? Our power co-op does, and I can see exactly how much power we used yesterday. Perhaps they offer something similar?

 

[larry4406]

In my area, they bill based on historic average for the home/area then periodically (1/quarter?) they do an actual meter read and a true up to the billing.

 

[Firebrick43]

My water company generates water bills that appear almost random, and the same seems to happen to others in the neighborhood. No rhyme or reason.

I wish there was some way to install my own water meter and keep them honest. Is there any sort of water meter I can clamp around the outside of my water supply line? Or even install in the house, on where the main line comes in? Has anyone ever done something like that?

There are tons of options. Electric, gear driven, brass case, plastic case, even clamp on with Wi-Fi reading.

We used several kinds in plants. Measuring water usage in evaporative chillers to how much water added to CNC machine coolant systems to somewhat understand how much biocides and water soluble cutting fluids.

The majority were like this. They make them in brass and plastic.

 

[mm08822]

Search for refurbished water meters. Or buy a new one similar to above or here: https://www.ekmmetering.com/collect.../3-4-water-meter-stainless-steel-pulse-output

All you need to do, is record the initial readings on both meters at the same time @ T=0. Then, at another time(s), record both readings. The difference between the same time readings for each meter (@T=X - @T=0) should be the same. If not, one of the meters is wrong. Obviously, the meters need to be reading the same flow. Put in series would be best.

Get a calibration certificate for anything you may buy.

You can always call the water co. and challenge the reported consumptions. You will probably have the original meter changed out in hours.

 

[The Cobbler]

water meters are relatively cheap and available on ebay & other places.

 

[nadogail]

My Water Utility can track usage down to the hour, if they add a monitor to your service. A The small condominium building with only 5 units has only 1 meter for all 5 units and the Lawn Sprinklers, we found that a pipe feeding the sprinkler was broken. The excessive usage followed the irrigation schedule.