Operator terms · Water
What is a water meter?
A water meter measures how much water passes through a service line, usually in gallons or cubic feet. It is how a system bills customers for use and how operators track demand and spot possible leaks when a meter registers flow with no water being used.
Last reviewed 2026-08-03
What it measures
The meter records the total volume of water that has passed through, so the difference between two readings is the amount used in that period. Systems read meters to bill customers and to watch overall demand.
A leak clue
If a meter keeps registering flow when the customer says no water is being used, that often points to a hidden leak or a running fixture. Watching the meter is a first check for that kind of problem.
Common questions
- What does a water meter measure?
- The volume of water passing through a service line.
- How is usage found?
- By subtracting the previous reading from the current reading.
- Can a meter show a leak?
- Yes; flow with no reported use often means a hidden leak.