Water Meter FAQs
Where will the water
meter be installed on my property?
Your water meter will
be installed where water first enters your
property. Because of the way the meter must connect
to the existing water pipes, Water Agency
crews have very little flexibility in the
placement of the meter.
Your meter box
and meter will be connected to the "water
service" pipe and will be placed on your
lot approximately 18 inches from the edge of
the sidewalk. Water is supplied to
your home through a series of pipes. As shown
in the photo, water is supplied to all the
homes on your street through a "water
main" pipe. The "water main"
pipe is located in the street approximately
three feet below ground level. Each home is
then individually supplied from the
"water main" pipe through a smaller
"water service" pipe that is also
about three feet below the ground. In most
cases, the sidewalk gutter is stamped with a
"W" where your "water
service" pipe crosses underneath the
sidewalk in front of your home.
When your home was constructed, utility
easements located adjacent to the property
line between homes were established to
accommodate future projects like water meter
installation. In most cases, a full retrofit
is a simple construction process. A crew will
come to your property, dig a hole about two
feet wide and five feet long, and install the
meter box and meter.
After installation, removed sod will be
reused and re-laid the same day your meter is
installed. Any areas that cannot be re-laid
with original sod will be replaced with new
sod. In some situations, over the course of
many years, improvements other than lawns have
been constructed over easements-- such as RV
pads or landscaping. If Water Agency crews
need to construct within an improved area,
every effort will be made to return this area
to its pre-construction condition. Toward this
effort, both "before" and
"after" photos will be taken to
assure, as is reasonably feasible, that the
pre-construction condition is fully restored.
Will I have
to pay the cost of the meter and the meter
installation?
No. The Water Agency will pay for all
expenses associated with water meter
installation - including the cost of the
meter.
A review of some of our customers concluded
that 63% of the households on metered water
would have saved money or had no change in
their water bill. However, customers who use
above the average amount of water will see
their bill increase. Compared to the current
flat rate system, metered water bills are
generally higher in the summer and lower in
the winter.
After your meter is installed, you will be
placed on a one-year "statistical
metering" program. This program is
designed to statistically track your water use
and provide you with comparative data on
metered versus flat water rates. You will
remain on a flat water rate during the
one-year study period unless you request an
early conversion to metered water billing. At
the end of the study period, you will convert
to metered billing.
If you find that your billed rate is larger
than your current flat rate, you have the
option to lower your water bill by reducing
your water usage.
- Public meeting. At least 90 days prior
to your water meter being installed, Water
Agency staff will hold a public meeting in
your neighborhood to outline the installation
schedule and process, and to discuss any
concerns or questions you may have.
- Installation notification letter. You
will be notified by mail of your scheduled
installation date three weeks in advance. If
you have any concerns about your installation
date, you will be given the opportunity to
reschedule within a month of your originally
scheduled installation.
- Door hanger. Approximately three to
five days
prior to your installation date, you will be
provided with a reminder door hanger.
Is
Sacramento County Water Agency the only
water supplier required to install meters?
No. All water suppliers who receive water
from the Bureau of Reclamation are required to
install water meters. Many other water
suppliers in the Sacramento area are in the
process of installing water meters, too. While
metering is new to some areas of Sacramento,
it is a common and long standing practice in
almost every city and region of California and
throughout the country.
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