Charlotte County Utilities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
(941) 764-4300 ~ (800) 524-3494 ~ TDD: (941) 764-4535
Water Meters
Where is my water meter located?
Generally, your water meter is located in the front of the property between the edge of the road pavement and your property line. It is housed in an in-ground meter box, which helps protect it from the elements, and the word “WATER” is imprinted on the lid.
Can my water meter be relocated?
Most of the time, meters can be relocated at customer's request for the actual cost of relocation.
There are two water meters in the box, which one is mine?
Generally, the water meter nearest to your property is your water meter. To verify this, turn on a spigot inside your house or at the outside hose bib. While the water is running, go out to the water meters and observe which one is registering (i.e., the meter register is changing numbers or the leak detector is spinning).
Are your water meters accurate?
Yes. Meters are factory tested and calibrated to be within accepted standards of accuracy. Moreover, the utility must maintain its meters within those accuracy standards specified in the Utility Tariffs.
How do I read my water meter?
You read your water meter from left to right, just like your car odometer. The numbers in the white are the ones you see on your bill. These are the thousands. The numbers in black are the hundreds, for which you are not billed until they accumulate to the next thousand reading. See Reading Your Meter for detailed instructions and a helpful diagram. A diagram and explanation also appear on the back of your utility bill.
When is my water meter read?
Your meter is read approximately the same time each month, every 28 to 31 days, depending on your location.
Can I have my meter re-read and is there a charge?
Yes, you can have your service meter re-read if you believe that an error in reading has occurred. There is no charge to re-read your meter, provided a request for a re-read has not been made in the previous six months. If a request to re-read is more frequent than six months, there will be a charge added to your next bill. Please see our current rate schedule for details.
Can I have my water meter tested?
Yes. We offer a field test that is done at the customer’s property at no charge. Ten gallons of water is run through your meter and 10 gallons is run through our test meter. If you are not satisfied with the results, the next step is a bench test. This requires a deposit, which must to be paid prior to the test. Please see our current rate schedule for details. Your meter is physically removed from the ground (a temporary meter is installed so you are not without water) and taken to our field office for testing. The meter is tested on three flows for accuracy. If the meter is registering within the prescribed accuracy limits, CCU retains the deposit. If the test shows the meter is not registering within the prescribed accuracy limits, your deposit will be returned and an adjustment made to the account.
My meter box is filled with dirt or mud. How can you be reading my water meter?
Our Meter Services personnel have shovels and water to clear the face of the meter in order to read it. When the meter is under water, we have a special PVC scope with plexiglass on the end with which we can read the meter. When the meter is fogged, slightly tapping on the lens clears the condensation so that a reading may be obtained. If there is too much mud and water to obtain a reading, a service order is issued to have the service technician obtain a reading and raise the meter.
If your meter is equipped with Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology, Meter Services personnel are able to obtain the reading via radio signal, using a handheld electronic device and the meter antenna. If the read does not register, personnel will go to the site and read manually as described above. Often, the meter antenna is raised on brackets to assist in allowing the radio signal to be read automatically.
Do you ever estimate meter readings?
Estimations could occur when the meter is inaccessible to the Meter Services personnel. Your estimate will be based on your billing record by Billing Services at a Supervisor’s direction.
What size is the typical residential water meter?
Most homes require the smallest meter available, which is 5/8 x 3/4 inches. Some residences may require a larger meter because of added volume and pressure requirements, such as for lawn irrigation.
Can I upsize my water meter; if so, what are the sizes and charges?
Meters are sized properly at the time of installation. The typical 5/8 x 3/4-inch residential meter is designed to handle household flows. Typical flow problems occur from improperly sized service lines or fixture problems. You may request a change of meter size in writing, detailing your reasons. The installation of a larger meter will require additional installation costs and deposits, if required, as well as additional Base Facility Charges based on the requested meter size.
