Your water meter box is usually round, with a cast iron or plastic top and steel sides. Some meter boxes are rectangular and made of concrete. A very few are made of totally plastic. In residential areas, it is usually, but not always, located between the sidewalk and the street, or in the sidewalk. (Not to be confused with your private, irrigation meter box--if you have one--which is green, rectangular plastic.)
The water meter box serves two functions. It allows both you and the City to easily access the water meter and the shut-off valve. It also serves to protect the water meter.
The faster the Meter Readers can get to your meter, collect the meter reading, and be off to the next meter, the lower the meter reading cost. There are a few things you can do to expedite this process.
- Keep items off of the meter box such as trash canisters, potted plants, vehicles and debris.
- Trim the grass around the meter box.
- Keep shrubbery and other landscaping from obstructing a clear and easy access to the meter box.
Your efforts in this area are much appreciated by the Meter Readers, maintenance personnel and by you, when quick access to the shut-off valve is necessary.