Your water meter is located just below ground in the meter box, normally adjacent to the street. You read the meter like you would if you were reading the odometer on your vehicle (from left to right). One good way to test for leaks in and around your home is by checking your meter reading before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used (including ice makers). If the reading changes, you may have a leak. Resources for finding a leak are available at this link.
Reading your meter periodically (daily, weekly or monthly) tells you how much water your household is using. Here's how to do it:
1. Start by opening your meter box lid and take a picture of the dial.
2. After a period of time (day, week or month) take another picture of the dial.
3. Subtract the first reading from the second reading to calculate the amount of water used. This is how many cubic feet of water your household used.
4. Multiply the amount by 7.48 to convert the cubic feet of water used to gallons.
The City of North Richland Hills uses Badger Water Meters. The meters are read electronically through a device called a "Transponder” located on the top of the meter. Readings are transmitted to the computer in the meter reading truck. The meter is read manually if the computer is unable to read the meter due to a tamper code or malfunction and generates a missed read error message.
As part of our regular maintenance and upkeep of our water system infrastructure, we have an annual meter replacement program where 1,000 to 1,200 meters are replaced each year. The meters selected for replacement are based on their age, with the oldest meters being replaced first. New meters typically measure usage more accurately than older meters and this may result in a higher billed consumption. In 2017, the meter replacement was completed during the summer months. The 2018 replacement has not been scheduled yet and is anticipated to take place toward the end of the year.
With the new meters city staff can obtain daily usage reports for up to 90 days, however they are not wirelessly connected to City Hall, so we have to send a staff member to the field retrieve that data. This information allows our staff to help customers troubleshoot billing concerns and improve conservation efforts by providing information about consumption patterns. Of the 22,000 meters in NRH, we have installed approximately 4,500 meters so far that have this capability.
Badger water meters are guaranteed by the manufacturer to meet strict American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards for accuracy when they are installed. The meters are manufactured to operate and function with accuracy with water temperatures that range from 32 degrees to 120 degrees.
For additional assistance related to your water meter you can call our Water Office at 817-427-6200.