Reading Water Meters

[prjain123]

Pete in an earlier email you suggested looking at Water Meters to assess how much bus. a mat is doing.

You'll have to pardon my ignorance here, but are these meters installed outside a mat, or are they inside near the boiler. How do you read one of these? I know I sound pretty dumb here...that's why I am on this group, hopefully to have a better understanding of what I am getting myself into.

This also brings up another thought. Does the city provide public access to any of the utility records...in which case I could find out how much water and electricity they consumed in a given time frame.

prj

[pete f]

I know of poeple here who have called and asked a public utilty how much water a places uses, that I have not done. Look for a big blue pipe comming out of the ground somewhere near the mat in question, you should find a meter on it. I know many water companies have gone to above ground meters, you may have to look under the lid, which would be somewhere near the property line and city property. I do not bother with electric, it is a non issue for the most part, as far as my operation is concerned.

[Fred50]

In my area, water bills are considered public info, so you can call the local water utility and get the info. You obviously have to wait until the meter reading is done, or else do it yourself.

Note that newer readers (electronic) can't be read visually even if they are outside the bldg.

[Kitty]

Its easier to call. You don't get caught and do not have to tell them who you are. Kitty

[Glenn]

In states like Florida where there is almost no danger of freezing pipes, water meters are outdoors. Some small lines are at ground level in cast iron boxes with lids. Most commercial meters are located on utility right of ways and therefore can be read by whomever is interested. Altough water usage is public record, getting the utility to give you the readings is not always easy.

[anonymous]

In Mass. you can go to the water company, give them an address and they'll print you a two year history of water consumption. No questions asked. You have to go to the billing dept, they won't give you a detailed report over the phone

[gregpack]

http://www.h2ouse.net/resources/meter/index.cfm