Water Meters

Water meter servicing

If your water meter is leaking, malfunctioning, making noise or the sensor is disconnected, please email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311 for service.

The water meter is located where the water service line enters the home or building. Access to the water meter is required to ensure the device can be serviced and replaced as needed. There is limited opportunity to relocate the water meter.

How water meters work

A water meter is a device that measures how much water you use. Water meters are typically located in the lowest level of the residence, where the water service line enters your home, and right next to the main shut-off valve.

The water meter mechanically measures how much water is used in your home. This information is used to determine your water bill. Water use is measured in cubic metres with one cubic metre (1 m3) equalling 1,000 litres.

Residential water meters rely on water flowing through the meter to physically move the measuring element in direct proportion to the amount of water that passes through the meter. This action drives the register that records the water use.

A reading device (called a touchpad) normally located on the outside of your home is connected to the water meter via a communication wire. In order to obtain a read from the water meter, the meter reader must walk by and make direct contact with this device using special reading equipment. It is important that the reading device is accessible to the meter reader in order to obtain a read.

How to read your water meter

You can find your water meter in the lowest part of your residence, in your basement or crawl space. The meter is next to the main water shut-off valve in your home.

Analog (dial) meters

Get to know your meter. Your water meter has a series of dials and hands. The dials measure the amount of water you've used in your home over time and are used to calculate your water bill.

• Your meter measures in litres and subic metres. Your water bill is calculated on the number of cull cubic metres of water you have used
• The meter reader will read your meter from outside your home using an external reading pad that was installed with your new meter.
• The symbol for a cubic metre is m³
  • 1,000 litres of water = 1m³
• The Low Flow Indicator will rotate even when the smallest amount of water is passing through the meter. Each complete revolution of the pointer is one litre of water
• The sweep hand measures water flowing through the meter. As it completes a full circle, it causes the dials to turn once.
• The flow indicator measures any leaks in your home. The flow indicator moves counter-clockwise whenever water is moving through the meter.
• If either the low-flow indicator or the sweep hand moves when you believe that you are not using water in your home, then you might have a leak.

Sensus Digital Meter

If you have a Sensus water meter with a digital display, here’s how to read this meter.

Register Operation

1. Open the lid to activate the register display. The first view that appears is the Segment Test View. This will be visible for a second and show all the various display areas before changing to the Totalizer View.
2. To change the view, close the lid for at least a second and then reopen the lid. The next view in the sequence will appear on the screen. There is a 30-second window for changing from view to view.
3. If the lid is left open the display will shut off after 30 seconds. Once the display has timed out the display will automatically return to Segment Test View next time the lid is opened.
4. The Totalizer View is the main display view. It shows the meter size, any notifications, the display values and identifiers, the unit of measure and flow direction. The LCD displays nine digits, but only the digits that have an identifier bar above them will be reported to the system.
5. To view alarms (Notification View), close and open the lid within the 30-second period. Alarms are identified by an “AL” on the left side of the display. Any active and recent alarm codes will be listed next to the AL in order of occurrence. If the alarm code is blinking, the alarm is active.
6. To view the flow rate (Flow Rate View), close and open the lid within the 30-second period. Flow rate is identified by a “FL” on the left side of the display followed by the actual flow rate unit. In addition, the display shows the unit of measure (gallon, cubic feet, etc.) and the flow icon.

Neptune Digital meter

If you have a Neptune water meter with a digital display, here’s how to read this meter.

• Continually shine a bright flashlight over the solar panel (found on the register) to activate the LCD display.
  • When the register display first comes on via a flashlight, all icons will be briefly displayed followed by firmware information. The register display will then change (every eight seconds) to show the reading and then the flow rate. The flow rate is per minute. When the display shows “RATE," the flow rate is being displayed.
• The 9-digit LCD shows your meter reading in cubic metres (1 cubic metre equals 1,000 litres). The last four digits of the reading are decimal points (e.g., 26.3987 cubic metres).

Flow indicator

The flow indicator shows the direction of water flow:

• ON – water is in use
• OFF – water is not in use
• Flashing – water is running slowly
  • (–) means reverse flow
  • (+) means forward flow

Water meter accuracy testing

• If your water bill reflects unexpectedly high water consumption, you may request the water meter at your property to be tested to confirm it is working properly.
• Before requesting a test, please thoroughly investigate other reasons for high consumption, such as potential leaks, seasonal water use or inefficient plumbing fixtures.
• If the high consumption cannot be explained by other factors, you have the option to contact accesshalton@halton.ca to request a water meter testing form. 
• Once you complete and return the form, the Region will send you an invoice for the actual cost of meter testing (average fee in 2024 for a residential meter is $700 to $800); this fee will be refunded if the meter is over-registering by more than 2%. Please note that if the test result indicates the meter is operating within the accuracy standards, this fee will not be refunded.
• The test is performed by a third party, and takes up to four weeks. 
• During testing, please keep your account current by paying your water bills in full or by establishing a payment agreement if needed.

KTI Utility Servicces: Halton Region water meter contractor

Halton Region has contracted KTI Utility Services to perform some water-meter-related maintenance, replacements and services. KTI technicians are identifiable by Halton Region ID Badges, "Halton Region Contractor" vehicle magnets and KTI-issued uniforms.

If you have been contacted by KTI to schedule a repair at your property, please contact them directly at 1-833-543-8807. If you have any questions regarding KTI, please contact accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311.

What am I responsible for?

Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of all services, plumbing and devices located on private property. Learn more about the different roles and responsibilities of property owners and Halton Region in the Drinking Water System By-law.