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Off‐the‐shelf accuracies of residential water meters
Author(s) -
Neilsen Martilyn A.,
Barfuss Steven L.,
Johnson Michael C.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2011.tb11531.x
Subject(s) - metering mode , metre , stewardship (theology) , water use , potable water , environmental science , water conservation , water quality , installation , non revenue water , water resource management , business , water resources , environmental engineering , engineering , mechanical engineering , ecology , physics , astronomy , politics , political science , law , biology
The accurate measurement of potable water by metering is a viable approach to conserving water resources and encouraging responsible water use. When utilities meter water and water consumers become accountable for their water use, consumers typically become more efficient with their water use. For this reason, water metering has become an important tool in water conservation and in billing consumers fairly. However, many of the residential water meters being used in the United States do not meet AWWA accuracy standards. This study provides a common reference for accuracy by investigating all 5/8 times 3/4‐, 3/4‐, 1‐, 1 1/2‐, and 2‐in. meters available in the United States by comparing them with the corresponding AWWA standard for cold‐water meters. Although specific manufacturers are not named, this research shows the need for greater quality control by manufacturers and a great stewardship by utilities to ensure that the meters they are installing meet AWWA standards.