New Water Meter Technology Will Help Households Monitor Use
Published on March 31, 2021
The question often is asked, “Why is my bill so high and how did I use so much water?” The city of Belton has implemented a plan to install water meter register technology with the ability to inform citizens on how much water they are using and when.
The city has begun to invest proactively in upgraded water meter registers that provide this new technology. Rolled out in phases, the process of replacing all water meter registers in the city will take an estimated three years.
The current water meter register system captures information (relayed via radio signals) as to how much water has been used since the last date your meter was read.
The new water meter register technology has the ability to collect detailed data about how much water a household is using per hour. This information is stored in the water meter register digitally for up to 90 days.
According to Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), the average household in Missouri uses about 50 gallons of water per person, per day. MDNR also states, “Flushing the toilet accounts for about 42 percent of the total, bathing is 32 percent and laundry is 14 percent. The amount of water that is used for drinking or cooking is probably less than 4 percent of the total.”
Source: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Usage 2017
The sample chart below shows details on a single household’s water intake in one day. By looking at the chart, an individual can see how they are using water. The spikes in water usage display the times when water was in highest use. “At noon I started one load of laundry. I did the dishes at 4 p.m. took a shower at 7 p.m.” The new water meter register data shows the household how many gallons of water were used for each of those tasks.
The water usage in the sample chart below indicates to the household that they have an undetected water leak, or a toilet may be constantly running. Either case will show that there is constant water usage all day, even when the household is asleep or away from home. According to this sample chart, this household is using more than 200 gallons of water per hour.
Detailed usage reports and the ability to detect a leak are two advantages of the new water meter registers. Households can gain more insight over their water use and take actions that could help lower their water bill by fixing leaks, replacing inefficient water using appliances (such as dishwashers and washing machines), and watching out for lengthy showers.
Some new registers have already been installed. If you are concerned about a high water bill, please email utilies@belton.org and we will be happy to let you know if your meter is new or older. If it is one of the new meter registers, we will provide the data. If you are experiencing high water bills and you do not have the new register, you can request one to be installed.