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Water and Sewer:
Meter Questions
How does the Delavan Water Utility read my meter?The majority of homes in the City have read-o-matic dials, which are attached to the outside of their homes. These dials are wired to your inside water meter and will pick up the reading and transmit it to the outside. This allows the utility the ability to read your water meter without having to enter the home. What is a billing unit?One billing unit equals 100 cubic feet. 100 cubic feet measures out to 748 gallons. Therefore if your family used 2,400 cubic feet, you’ve used 17,952 gallons for a quarter. On the average, an adult will use 600 cubic feet (4,488 gallons) per quarter.Where is my water meter located?Water meters are always located inside the home, normally in the basement or possibly a crawl space. On occasion they can be found inside closets.How do I read my water meter?Most meters used today have a digital type display, with six digits. To read your meter, you would read the numbers from left to right.Why is it important to know where my water meter is located?Knowing where your water meter is located should be a priority for all property owners and tenants. If the home is "up to code" there should be a shut-off valve on each side of the water meter. This shut-off valve will stop the flow of water within your home should a plumbing emergency arise. These valves should be "exercised" on occasion to make sure they will work when they’re needed. If your valves don’t work, it would be in your best interest to have them replaced.Comparisons Between Inside and Outside ReadingsWater and sewer bills are based upon water volume being registered on a master meter located within the home, most likely in the basement area. For the convenience of our customers and more efficient meter reading, the utility has installed, at most locations, outside remote reading devices which receive electronic signals from the master meter to measure water being consumed.
Occasionally, the outside read-o-matic dial may malfunction and does not receive the correct signals from the inside meter. If this situation occurs for an extended period of time, variances between the master meter and the remote reader may occur. If the customer is at home during the meter reading time, we may request that the meter reader be allowed access into your home to obtain an inside reading. If customer is not home, the utility operator will leave a blue door hanger requesting that you call the utility office with your inside reading. If you have problems with reading or locating the meter, please contact the utility office to schedule a time that the utility operator may come to your home and obtain the information.
We would encourage all customers to routinely compare the outside read-o-matic reading to the inside meter reading. If you find a problem, please contact the Utility office at once, so we may schedule replacement of the read-o-matic device and avoid billing problems.Is it time for your meter checkup?Don’t be surprised if Delavan Water Utility meter personnel knock at your door or leave a blue tag on your door, asking for the opportunity to replace your water meter.
Wisconsin Public Service Commission, which regulates water utilities, mandates that all meters be tested for accuracy. Residential water meters are to be tested once every (10) ten years. This is to ensure that your water usage is correct and represents a fair billing. Generally, the meter exchange is completed within a half-hour.
Helpful hints to make exchange go smoothly: Water meters are generally located in the basement to prevent freezing in the winter. (The little box located outside your home is only a receptacle to read the meter in the basement.) Keep the area around your meter clear for easy access. Keep the valves on both sides of the meter in good operating condition. Remember that these valves are your property and may be needed in an emergency to shut off the water due to a broken fixture or pipe. Our meter personnel will also need to shut off your water to exchange the meter, so make sure that everyone in your family will be aware of the temporary outage.
The Delavan Water Utility appreciates your cooperation to allow us to exchange the meter in your home or business. |
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