How to Read a Water Meter

Understanding how to read a water meter confidently is key to managing your usage, detecting potential leaks early and ensuring your bills are accurate. It’s a simple skill that can save you money whilst helping to conserve a valuable resource.

In this guide, our leak detection and water damage restoration experts explain exactly how to read your water meter and answer the most frequently asked questions on this topic.

What is a Water Meter?

A water meter is a device that measures and records the amount of water used by a household or property. It plays a vital role in ensuring accurate billing, tracking usage and identifying potential leaks or overconsumption.

There are two main types of water meters commonly found in UK homes:

Traditional Analogue Meters – These require manual readings and are typically found in older properties.

Smart Digital Meters – These use automated technology to send real-time usage data directly to your water supplier, offering convenience and improved accuracy.

Understanding which type of meter you have is the first step to taking control of your water consumption.

Does Everyone Have a Water Meter?

Not all UK households have a water meter installed. According to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), around 16 million homes are currently metered, which is approximately 60% of domestic households.

For businesses, water meters are even more common and are generally standard in commercial properties.

Whilst having a water meter is not mandatory, some water companies, such as Southern Water, have implemented universal metering programmes to help manage water resources in regions facing water scarcity. These initiatives aim to encourage more efficient usage and support long-term sustainability.

An important exception exists for new-build properties. Since 1990, all newly built homes in the UK have been legally required to have a water meter installed.

Where is My Water Meter Located?

Water meters are usually installed at the point where the mains water supply enters your property. In domestic homes, this is often:

• Under the kitchen sink
• In a nearby kitchen cupboard
• In a bathroom or utility area

Some properties have an external water meter, typically located in a meter box in the garden, driveway or pavement just outside the property boundary.

For commercial premises, water meters are usually found outside the building. Depending on the size and layout of the business, there may be multiple meters serving different areas or units.

How to Read a Water Meter

Understanding how to read a water meter is straightforward once you know what to look for.

Start by locating the serial number, usually printed at the top or bottom of the meter. This number helps confirm you’re reading the correct meter and can be matched to the one listed on a previous water bill.

If you’re unsure, your water provider can confirm it for you. On a traditional (analogue) water meter, you’ll see a combination of black and red digits:

• Black digits show the total volume of water used in cubic metres (m³) – where 1 cubic metre equals 1,000 litres. This is the number you submit to your supplier for billing.
• Red digits measure water use in litres and are typically for reference only. These are not usually required for billing purposes.

For example:

In our diagram below, the meter reads 00290449 m³. So in this example, you would submit 00290 to your supplier, as they bill based on whole cubic metres of water used.

The Leak and Flow Indicators

In addition to the main reading, most traditional water meters include two key components that help monitor water flow:

• Leak Indicator (Low Flow Indicator): This is usually a small, star or asterisk-shaped wheel that spins when water is moving through the system, even in very small amounts. If all taps and appliances are turned off but this wheel is still turning, it could be a sign of a leak.
• Flow Indicator (High Flow Dial): This component typically resembles a small clock face. The hand completes one full rotation for every litre of water used. It moves more slowly than the leak indicator and is useful for tracking larger volumes of water flow.

Both indicators only move when water is flowing. Keep in mind that the exact design may vary between manufacturers, so if your meter looks different, it’s worth referring to the user manual or contacting your water supplier for guidance.

If you suspect a leak, start by following the steps in the Stop Tap Test to confirm it, then give Rainbow a call and we’ll help you locate and resolve it. We’re experts in non-destructive Leak Detection, giving you peace of mind we can locate your leak without unnecessary damage to your property.

How Do I Submit My Water Meter Readings?

A Smart Meter will automatically submit your readings to your supplier using a standalone network, meaning you do not need to connect this to WiFi or home internet to submit your readings.

To submit readings from a traditional meter, you will need to contact your Water Provider through their website or phone number.

Who is My Water Provider?

Water UK and Landlord TAP offer a tool called Find Your Supplier, enabling you to input your postcode to identify your local water supplier. If you need direct assistance with how to read a water meter, your water provider will be able to guide you through the process.

Understanding Your Water Bill

Metered Billing vs Fixed Rate

Households with a water meter are charged only for the water they use, whilst those without a meter pay a fixed rate based on their property’s rateable value.

How is a Fixed Rate Charged?

For households without a water meter, water bills are calculated using a fixed rate based on the property’s rateable value – a system that estimates usage according to the size and value of the home, rather than actual consumption. This means charges remain the same regardless of how much water is used.

Can You Dispute Water Meter Charges?

Yes, if you believe your water bill is incorrect, there are steps you can take to dispute it.

We recommend reviewing The UK’s Parliaments Water Meter Report  for an overview of consumer and water company rights. Ofwat also provides detailed guidance on how to challenge your bill.

If you’re unable to resolve the issue directly with your provider, the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) can offer support and help escalate your case.

What are the Benefits of Having a Water Meter?

Installing a water meter offers both practical and environmental benefits. It provides a clear picture of your water usage, making it easier to spot waste, track patterns and build sustainable habits.

Here’s exactly how both households and businesses can benefit:

Cost Savings

For many households and businesses, a fixed tariff is often more economical. However, some may find switching to metered billing will lower their water bills, especially where water usage is relatively low or inconsistent.

Metered users only pay for what they use, encouraging more mindful consumption. Whereas, unmetered users pay a fixed rate based on property value, which in some cases may not reflect actual usage.

It is important to assess your consumption and the fixed rates available to you, to establish which option is most suitable.

Rising Water Bills

Ofwat has forecast that the average water bill will rise by £31 per year until 2030, adding up to an extra £100 per year over the next five years.

These increases are being implemented to fund an £88 billion investment in upgrading the UK’s water infrastructure. The aim is to improve environmental performance, enhance service reliability and futureproof water supply against climate challenges.

With bills consistently on the rise, closely monitoring usage via a meter becomes more important than ever for cost control.

Environmental Sustainability

Water is a limited resource, with efficient use and conservation essential to reduce environmental impact. Monitoring consumption through a meter encourages sustainable water habits, helping to minimise overuse, reduce leaks, protect local ecosystems and reduce pressure on national water infrastructure.

Tackling Water Stress

Water stress refers to the pressure placed on water supplies due to overuse, climate change and population growth. It can be worsened by poor urban planning and inadequate infrastructure, outdated or inefficient plumbing systems, contamination and poor wastewater disposal, increased demand from a growing population, extreme weather and flooding.

Using a water meter empowers individuals and businesses to play a role in reducing this stress by managing their own consumption more effectively.

We explore the global issue of water stress and offer further insights in our blog, ‘Water Infrastructure Resilience – Navigating Challenges for Strong Societies’. If you’re looking for practical ways to save water and lower your bills, check out ‘Water Saving Devices and Habits to Cut Bills in 2025‘.

You can also learn more about our ongoing commitment to environmental conservation in our Sustainability Hub.

Leak Detection and Prevention

Water meters are an important tool to help confirm if you have a hidden leak. If you notice an unexplained spike in usage or the leak indicator continues to move when no water is being used, it could point to a leak.

Undetected leaks can result in:

• Significant and often costly water damage
• Damp and Mould growth
• Business disruption and financial losses
• Increased bills due to prolonged water loss, if the leak goes unnoticed

A 2023 survey conducted by Affinity Water estimated that the UK wastes around 900 million litres of clean drinking water each day due to undetected household leaks, highlighting the scale of the issue.

High Water Bill or Meter Reading?

If you’ve received an unusually high water bill or meter reading, it could be a sign of a hidden leak. To help rule out other causes, read our blog: ‘Why Is My Water Bill So High?‘.

If you’ve already completed the Stop Tap Test and suspect a leak, our team can quickly locate the source and resolve the issue to prevent further damage. Rainbow Restoration are the UK’s leading damage restoration specialists, providing expert Leak Detection and Trace & Access services nationwide since 1987.

Our experienced teams use advanced, non-invasive technology including; thermal imaging, acoustic testing, tracer gas and pipe tracing, to accurately locate the source of a leak without unnecessary disruption to your property.

Explore our specialist Leak Detection and Trace & Access services or for immediate support and advice, contact us on our 24/7 national helpline on 01623 422488.