Karen Mancl, Professor Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University
Since water systems are in the business of providing water to customers, water meters can be thought of as the system "cash registers." Water meters keep track of the product provided to the customer and can form the basis of billing for the service. Water meters serve four functions in a water system.
Water loss is a part of all water systems. It takes water to treat water. Water is lost in backwashing filters, for example. Storage tanks and reservoirs sometimes overflow and lose water, and water is lost during hydrant flushing. Also, since water distribution systems are under pressure, any leaks result in water loss as the system is designed to leak out.
All water systems will lose 10% of the water they draw from the source in the operation of a water system. Typical water loss may be as high as 50%. Small systems should strive for about 20% water loss. Systems should be alarmed and take corrective action if more than 50% of their water is lost.
Water is lost to leaks, overflows, and even theft. Water is unaccounted for at unmetered taps, like hydrants, and taps with broken or worn meters. In some cases, water meters are missing in public buildings.
When people know how much water they are using and have to pay for it, they may choose to conserve water. When unmetered systems add meters, they can expect a 10% to 40% drop in water use. Water conservation helps extend the life of a water system and enables a system to grow without expanding the source or treatment capacity.
It is only fair that households and businesses that use the most water pay the most to support the water system. Meters at each connection are the tool to keep track of who uses the water. As the water system requires upgrades or expansion, information on water use will help in gaining customer support. Many financial institutions lending money to water systems now require meters to insure that every customer is paying their fair share.
Meter readers may be the only water system employee the customers see. Meter readers can serve as ambassadors for the water system. They can share information on water conservation, upcoming maintenance, and upgrades in service. They can also listen to customers' concerns and bring them back to management.