About Our Water Meters
Water Meters
Beginning in 2018, Red Lion Municipal Authority will be undertaking a major upgrade to our water meter system that will include replacing the water meters, some of which are over 20 years old. The existing meters are a mechanical type that loses accuracy after 10-14 years. The American Water Works Association suggests all utilities accurately measure and account for all water that they draw from the reservoir and distribute to end users, thus the change out. The new meters will have no moving parts, so the useful life will be 20+ years without losing accuracy. The water meter only reads the water going through the meter. The new meters will allow leaks to be discovered more quickly so Authority staff can let you know, saving you money. There is no cost to you, the customer.
Tips on How to Protect your Water Meter:
During winter months, we ask that you take special care to protect your water meter from freezing. This will not only help us by not having to send an employee to repair the frozen meters, but is beneficial to YOU since the owner of the property is responsible for paying for the frozen water meter and for the labor to replace it. Some tips on preventing damage caused by frozen meters are:
• Locate the meter in a place that is heated and out of the wind and weather (like a basement or crawl space).
• If the meter or water lines are not in a properly heated area, wrap your meter and water lines with insulation and/or heat tape (available at local hardware stores).
• In extreme cases of cold, let one of your faucets run very slowly. A slight increase in your water bill may be better than the costly task of replacing frozen meters, water pipes, or property damage.
Leak Detection
Check to see if your water meter has a "low flow indicator" on it. A low flow indicator is very useful in problem solving if you suspect you have a leak in your home or business. When you are sure that nobody is using water, check the black arrow or red dial, depending on which type of meter you have. It should not be turning. The slightest movement means that water is being registered by the meter. A meter will not turn unless water is flowing through it.
If the low flow indicator is turning, you will need to start looking for the source of the leak. Start with the toilet. You can turn the valve off at the toilet, then check the low flow indicator on the water meter. Another way to check a toilet for a leak is by placing a dye tablet or food coloring in the tank. Let it sit for a while, and then look in the bowl. If you see coloring, the toilet is leaking.
Continue isolating areas until you have narrowed the leak down.