Read My Meter

There are several reasons why you might want to locate and read your water meter. You might be interested to know how much water you use in a day, week or month! By reading your meter at the beginning and end of a day, you can compare the 2 readings to tell how much water was used. If you would like to estimate your billing usage; it is best to get your latest meter read and date from your bill. Another reason is to check for leaks. To do this, turn off all the taps in your house, then look at your meter. If the meter shows a plus symbol in the lower portion of display chances are you have a leak somewhere.

TIP: The district also recommends utilizing the "MyWaterUse" portal to track usage and monitor for leaks! 

Step 1: Locate Meter

Your water meter is generally located near the front of your home in a direct line with your main outside faucet, although with some properties it can be located in the back. It is housed in a concrete box usually marked "water" or "SFID." Carefully remove the lid by using a tool such as a large screwdriver. Insert the tool into the hole and lift the lid carefully noting the wire attached to the meter lid. Be aware that critters or spiders may be in box and gloves are recommended. 

Step 2: Read your Water Meter

All customers of Santa Fe Irrigation district have their water use measured by a meter in cubic feet (1 cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons). Charges for the amount of water consumed are based on the number of units (1 unit equals 100 cubic feet or approximately 748 gallons) used during a billing period. 

Dates That Meters are Read

Water meters are read every other month around the 1st or the 15th, depending on your billing cycle. Review your most recent bill to find out what date the meter was read. 

open lid with ami meter and showing wires attached to meter box

YOUR DIGITAL METER: 

  1. There are 9 digits / bars on the Sensus iPerl meter at the top of the digital display.  Since the District bills in hundred cubic feet, only the first four numbers at the far left are used for billing.
  2. You can also monitor the 9th number to the far right to check for leaks. Example: If the number rotates from 0 to 1, that's equivalent to 1/1,000th of one cubic foot of water (which is approximately 1 ounce).
  3. Cubic feet as its units of measure.
  4. To check for leaks, use the Flow Direction / Empty Pipe Indicator. If there is a plus sign in the middle of this circle, water is passing through the meter.
  5. Battery life indicatorAMI display
iperl meter with highlighted digits

To learn more about the District's AMI program, visit www.sfidwater.org/ami

Need Help? Contact district office for support at (858) 756-2424.

Meter Access:

To ensure access for reading and servicing your meter, it is important that you maintain the area around your meter box. Most people are not aware that their water meter is located within a utility easement. This means that when landscaping or fencing your yard, you need to maintain at least a five (5) foot radius of clearing around the meter box to allow us to read, service, or perform emergency repairs to the meter.  It also means that it is the property owner's responsibility to ensure that the meter box is visible and accessible at all times. If the area is not maintained, the District will provide the customer a 48 hours' notice prior to the District staff clearing the area.

diagram of 5 ft clearance around water meter

LANDSCAPING

Please keep these things in mind when landscaping:

  • Permanent structure such as walls, fences and gates cannot be installed in a utility easement area without an encroachment permit.
  • Your meter area should be kept clear of shrubbery, trees and low growing bushes.
  • When planting trees, keep in mind that the tree roots can become entangled around the underground pipes, increasing the possibility of broken pipes and water leaks.
  • Shrubbery can become bushy and hinder our ability to access the meter.
  • Customers who already have established landscaping are required to trim their plants to allow access to the meter. 

QUESTIONS:

If you have any questions about maintaining the meter area, or need help locating the water meter, please call the District's Customer Services Department at (858) 756-2424.

Contact Us

  1. Kerri Harrell

    Customer Service Representative II
    E-mail Kerri Harrell
    Phone: 858-756-2424

  2. Rene Heraz

    Customer Service Representative II
    Email Rene Heraz
    Phone: 858-227-5788