keram Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 (edited) Is it possible that water meter register higher water usage then actual? O.K. Let me explain. Today I had a phone call from my water company to check my water meter reading, because my usage was somewhat higher then normal. Ive checked it and is really, really HIGHER then normal. There is no leak (leak indicator is not moving ). So I did experiment. I would like to follow my way of reasoning, because I could be wrong. My meter counts cubic meters of water, one full turn of the dial is 100 litres. There is a toilet close to the meter. Ive flushed toilet 8 times (closing the supply valve each time) to get full turn of the dial (100 litres). Math is pretty simple 100/8=12.5 litres = 3.17 gal Now Ive used jug from windshield washer fluid ( 1 gal or 3.78 l) and I needed only two gallons of water to fill the tank to the same level. So, my 2 gal of water shows as 3.17 gal on the meter. Another thing. Ive filled the same jug twice ( approx 7.5 litres), my meter registered 10 litres of usage. I know that defective meter shows lower usage ( due to wear & tear) but higher. Please share any ideas In mean time I will start looking for the in ground pool on my property Im sure it is not in a living room. Edited September 30, 2010 by keram Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drwxr Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 you need new toilets i have 1.6gpf and it still considered not efficient Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keram Posted September 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 you need new toilets i have 1.6gpf and it still considered not efficient The toilet is not my concern. It is practically not used, so I did not change it yet. The other 3 in the house use 1gal/flush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tb4me Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Call them on thier equiptment. I often wonder how accurate the gas and hydro meters are too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keram Posted September 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Call them on thier equiptment. I often wonder how accurate the gas and hydro meters are too. I did. Somebody is comming next Thursday, but they told me that my findings are 99.99% impossible. This is a reason why I'm looking for some advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splashhopper Posted October 1, 2010 Report Share Posted October 1, 2010 check the next door neighbors on both sides..... look for shaded windows... a few people coming and going at odd times of the day... maybe you have a gro op next door "borrowing" your water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daplumma Posted October 1, 2010 Report Share Posted October 1, 2010 (edited) It will be a very simple test.Make sure that no water is being run in the house.Fill a gallon jug and watch the meter with the water guy standing there.He will know what to do next.If the meter is calibrated correctly,check for leaky toilets. Joe Edited October 1, 2010 by Daplumma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndySKS Posted October 1, 2010 Report Share Posted October 1, 2010 (edited) I'm interested to hear the outcome of this, i work for a municipality and the water supervisor is right across the hall from me. I have heard him tell many people the same thing your water dept told you. From what i know of meters they always read less if worn out, then again there is that 0.01 % i guess. what type of meter is it...brand wise. my bet is one of your toilets is leaking keep us informed edit: For what it's worth in the 6 years working with him and all the meters he has looked at, never has it been the meter, he is a licensed plumber too and always seems to help find the problem. Edited October 1, 2010 by IndySKS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musky_man Posted October 2, 2010 Report Share Posted October 2, 2010 Shut your water off in each toilet, one by one and see if that helps. If a toilet is leaking, you should be able to find it that way. Is it possible that water meter register higher water usage then actual? O.K. Let me explain. Today I had a phone call from my water company to check my water meter reading, because my usage was somewhat higher then normal. I’ve checked it and is really, really HIGHER then normal. There is no leak (leak indicator is not moving ). So I did experiment. I would like to follow my way of reasoning, because I could be wrong. My meter counts cubic meters of water, one full turn of the dial is 100 litres. There is a toilet close to the meter. I’ve flushed toilet 8 times (closing the supply valve each time) to get full turn of the dial (100 litres). Math is pretty simple 100/8=12.5 litres = 3.17 gal Now I’ve used jug from windshield washer fluid ( 1 gal or 3.78 l) and I needed only two gallons of water to fill the tank to the same level. So, my 2 gal of water shows as 3.17 gal on the meter. Another thing. I’ve filled the same jug twice ( approx 7.5 litres), my meter registered 10 litres of usage. I know that defective meter shows lower usage ( due to wear & tear) but higher. Please share any ideas In mean time I will start looking for the in ground pool on my property I’m sure it is not in a living room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohhenrygsr Posted October 2, 2010 Report Share Posted October 2, 2010 Awesome article $4000 water bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now