A typical water meter register showing a meter reading of 18.3 gallons

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Water Meters

A water meter is used to measure water usage. Water meters are normally used at every residence and commercial building in a public water system. Water meters can also be used at the water source, well, or throughout a water system to determine flow though that portion of the system. more...

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Water meters typically measure and display total usage in US gallons, cubic feet, or cubic meters on a mechanical or electronic register.

There are several types of water meters in common use. Selection is based on different flow measurement methods, the type of end user, the required flow rates, and accuracy requirements.

In North America, standards for manufacturing of water meters are made by the American Water Works Association.

There are three common methods of flow measurement in use:

Displacement; Velocity; Electromagnetic;

Common types of water meters

Multi-jet Meter; Single-jet Meter; Positive Displacement Meter; Turbine Meter; Compound Meter; Fire Meter; Fire Hydrant Meter; Mag Meter;

Displacement water meters

This type of water meter is most often used in residential and small commercial applications. Displacement meters are commonly referred to as Positive Displacement, or "PD" meters. Two common methods of positive displacement measuring are Oscillating Piston meters and Nutating Disk meters. Either method relies on the water to physically displace the moving measuring element in direct relation to the amount of water that passes through the meter. The piston or disk moves a magnet that drives the register.

PD meters are generally very accurate at low to moderate flow rates typical of residential and small commercial users, and are common in sizes from 5/8" to 2". Because displacement meters rely on all flowing through the meter to "push" the measuring element, they generally are not practical in large commercial applications requiring high flow rates or low pressure loss. PD meters normally have a built in strainer to protect the measuring element from rocks or other debris that could stop or break the measuring element. PD meters normally have bronze, brass or plastic bodies with internal measuring chambers made from molded plastics and stainless steel.

Velocity water meters

A velocity type meter measures the velocity of flow though a meter of a known internal capacity. The speed of the flow can then be converted into volume of flow for usage. There are a number of types of meters that measure water flow velocity to determine totalized usage. They include jet meters (sinlge-jet and mulit-jet), turbine meters, propeller meters, and mag meters. Most velocity based meters have an adjustment vane for calibration of the meter to required accuracy standards.

Multi-jet meters

Multi-jet meters are very accurate in small sizes and are commonly used in 5/8" through 2" sizes for residential and smaller commmercial uses. Multi-jet meters use multiple ports surrounding an internal chamber to create a jet of water against an impeller. The impeller rotatation speed is in relation to the velocity of water flow. Mulit-jets are very accurate at low flow rates, but are not used in larger sizes since they don't have the stright through flow path of turbine meters use for the high flow rates used in large pipe diameters. Multi-jet meters generally have an internal strainer element that can protect the jet ports from getting clogged. Multi-jet meters normally have bronze alloy bodies or outer casings with internal measuring parts made from modern thermoplastics and stainless steel.