What the meter can and cannot tell you
The meter measures every drop that passes from the city's side to yours. If it moves while nothing in the house is using water, something is leaking. It cannot tell you where; a dripping irrigation valve and a pinhole under the kitchen both show up the same way. What it gives you is a yes or no, and with a little care, a rough idea of how fast.
In Anaheim the meter belongs to the city's water utility, Anaheim Public Utilities. You are reading it, not adjusting it. If the meter box lid is damaged or the meter itself looks wrong, that is a call to the utility rather than a plumber.
Run the test
Pick a time when no one will need water for half an hour.
- Stop every use.Turn off faucets, the dishwasher, washing machine, ice maker, water softener regeneration and any irrigation timer. Make sure no toilet is refilling.
- Find and open the meter box.It is usually a concrete box near the curb or sidewalk. Lift the lid with a screwdriver or meter key and watch for spiders and wasps.
- Read the dial and the leak indicator.Photograph the full reading. Most meters also have a small triangle, star or wheel that spins with even tiny flow; note whether it is moving.
- Wait 15 to 30 minutes.Use no water at all. Then photograph the reading again and look at the indicator.
- Isolate the hot side.If it moved, close the cold inlet valve on top of the water heater and repeat the wait. If movement stops, the leak is very likely on the hot side.
- Reopen and record.Open the water heater valve again, then write down both readings, the times, and which test stopped the movement.
Reading the result
| What you saw | What it likely means |
|---|---|
| No movement at all | No measurable leak right now; recheck in a few days if you still have signs |
| Indicator creeping slowly | A small leak somewhere in the system |
| Reading changes noticeably in 15 minutes | A larger leak; close the main between uses |
| Stops when heater inlet is closed | Leak on the hot side, from the heater to the fixtures |
| Keeps moving with heater inlet closed | Leak on the cold side, a toilet, irrigation or the yard line |
Common mistakes
- Forgetting an irrigation timer or a refrigerator ice maker that cycles on its own
- Testing right after someone flushed, while the tank is still filling
- Reading the wrong meter on a shared or multi-unit service
- Assuming a still meter means no leak when the leak is on the city side of the meter
Take the numbers with you
When you call a plumber, lead with the result: the meter moved this much in this many minutes, and it did or did not stop with the heater inlet closed. That one sentence lets them plan the right pressure tests and bring locating equipment for the correct side of the system.
Common questions
What if I cannot find my meter?
Look near the street along the front of the lot for a rectangular concrete or plastic lid. If you still cannot find it, the city's water utility can tell you where it is.
Is it safe to open the meter box?
Generally yes, with care. Lift the lid with a tool, not your fingers, check for insects, and do not touch or adjust anything on the meter itself.
Should I run the test more than once?
Yes, if the first result is borderline. A second test at a different time of day helps rule out an appliance or timer you missed.
General information for Anaheim Hills, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.