A few things to note first: water meters are comprised of multiple parts, which include the following items:

• Base/Bottom: Brass device installed into the Water Meter Horn. The Base/Bottom contains the water flow measuring device. The size of the Base/Bottom determines the water flow rate for the location.
• Top/Register: Device attached to the Base/Bottom that records water usage data and visually displays readings. There are two types of Tops/Registers. Analog, which are round in shape with dials, and Digital, which can be either round or rectangular in shape with a digital display; both look similar to an odometer.
• Transmitter: Device connected by wires to the Top/Register. Each transmitter is permanently programmed with a specific unique numeric ID/Serial Number. The Transmitter sends the reading from the Top/Register via radio frequency remotely to MVD’s mobile data collector - computer software that is programmed with the specific data exclusive to each individual Water Meter & Transmitter at every service location.

The images below reflect examples of ​a​nalog meter registers. 

• USAGE MONITORING:
  Read the register twice. This can be done overnight or when you are gone from the location for the day. Take the first reading at night or right before exiting the location for the day. Take the second reading in the morning or upon arriving back at the location before any water is used. Subtract the first reading from the second reading to tell how much water was used. (Note: depending on the meter, there may be one or more "static" zeroes reflected at the end of the reading.)

•  LEAK DETECTION:
  The flow indicator is on the face of the register (near the dials). It is typically blue or red/orange in color and is in the shape of a triangle, a star, or a gear. Before you begin checking for leaks, make sure no water is being used inside or outside the location. Once you have verified that no water is being used, check the flow indicator. If it is spinning, water is passing through the meter.

A few things to note first: water meters are comprised of multiple parts, which include the following items:

• Base/Bottom: Brass device installed into the Water Meter Horn. The Base/Bottom contains the water flow measuring device. The size of the Base/Bottom determines the water flow rate for the location.
• Top/Register: Device attached to the Base/Bottom which records water usage data and visually displays readings. There are two types of Tops/Registers. Analog, which are round in shape with dials, and Digital, which can be either round or rectangular in shape with a digital display; both look similar to an odometer.
• Transmitter: Device connected by wires to the Top/Register. Each transmitter is permanently programmed with a specific unique numeric ID/Serial Number. The Transmitter sends the reading from the Top/Register via radio frequency remotely to MVD’s mobile data collector - computer software that is programmed with the specific data exclusive to each individual Water Meter & Transmitter at every service location.

The images below reflect examples of digital meter register. 

The Digital Register Display Reflects:

9-digit Meter Reading

• 5/8" & 1" meters read as follows:
  (Note: Most residential meters are 5/8")
  • The 6 digits before the decimal point is the reading used for billing purposes.
  • The 3 digits after the decimal point are for usage monitoring & leak detection
• Meters larger than 1" read as follows:
  • The 7 digits before the decimal point is the reading used for billing purposes.
  • The 2 digits after the decimal point are for usage monitoring & leak detection

Alert/Indicator Icons

• USAGE MONITORING:
  Read the register twice. This can be done overnight or when you are gone from the location for the day. Take the first reading at night or right before exiting the location for the day. Take the second reading in the morning or upon arriving back at the location before any water is used. Subtract the first reading from the second reading to tell how much water was used.
• LEAK DETECTION:
  The register's display will cycle through multiple screens reflecting different data on each, including the reading and any “alarms”, such as a leak, that have been triggered. The leak “alarm” is a small faucet/water drop symbol. That symbol indicates there has been continuous water usage for over a 24-hour period. The symbol may be either solid or flashing; a flashing symbol indicates intermittent flow, and a solid symbol indicates a constant leak. Please note that if a toilet is not running or a faucet is not dripping constantly over a 24-hour period, the leak symbol will not be shown.