How to Locate My Water Meter

If you suspect that you have a leak in your water pipes, or if you want to more closely monitor your water usage, you will need to locate your water meter to record your readings. Most meters are easy to find, but if you own an older home or live in a very rural area, your meter may take a bit of perseverance to unearth. Explore the most common locations first, and if you still can't find your meter, perform a top-to-bottom sweep of your home.

• 1

  Go outside your house and head to the curb area around where your lawn meets the road.

• 2

  Look for a concrete box labeled "Water" or a cast-iron lid sitting flush with the ground.

• 3

  Pry open the top of the box or the cast-iron lid by inserting a screwdriver into one of the holes and using it to leverage the lid up. Don't stick your fingers under the lid, as they are usually quite heavy and may cause injury if dropped on your hand.

• 4

  Locate your primary outdoor faucet if your water meter is not by the curb; another common location for water meters is near a main exterior faucet.

• 5

  Go down to your basement if you cannot locate the meter in front of your house or by your outside faucet. In colder regions of the country, meters are sometimes installed inside homes, usually in the basement.