HOW TO READ YOUR WATER METER
Since University Hills is a relatively new development, we are fortunate to have more modern water meters than in many Orange County communities. Our water meters are easy to read; in fact, they are read like your car's odometer. The meter records usage in hundred cubic foot units (ccf); ignore the blackened squares. Of course, the actual reading at any one time doesn't mean much; it's really the difference between successive readings that indicates your water usage for any time period.
One useful aspect of reading your water meter, is to determine if you have leaks. The Irvine World News recently reported on the effect of leaks on water usage as noted by Irvine Ranch Water District: in a day, a continuous fast drip wastes 25 gallons; a thin steady stream wastes 100 gallons; and a sizeable stream wastes 400 gallons. In a recent report to the IRWD board of directors it was noted that the highest residential water use in the district turned out to be at an unoccupied condominium with several leaks.
Finding out if you have leaks is easy. Just turn off all faucets and water-using devices in the house, garage and yard. Note the location of the red arrow on your meter. Wait 15 minutes (or longer), and check the meter again. If the arrow has moved, you have a leak someplace. Of course, that's the easy part; then you have to find the leak.
Kathleen King