How to read a meter
A water meter records all the water you use - for drinking, washing, flushing the toilet or using your garden hosepipe - just like an electricity or gas meter.
Your meter is often in a small underground chamber in the pavement or just inside your boundary in what is called a boundary box. Only read the figures in the black boxes and please ignore the red boxes.
Meter Reading Frequency: We read domestic meters every 6 months. In the case of large commercial meters, these are normally read monthly.
If you live in a house
Either read your meter near the inside stop valve as described above, or locate your boundary box outside. The boundary box has a small metal or plastic cover. To look at your meter or to read it, you will need to use a sturdy flat-bladed screwdriver to open it. Inside you will see a foam or polystyrene disc, which acts as frost protection for your meter. Once you have read your meter, replace the polystyrene and close the lid.
If you live in a flat
Each flat has its own meter. The meters may all be in the same place - for example in a pit outside your property. In a few cases meters may be beneath heavy cast-iron pit covers: take care! The serial number of your meter is shown at the bottom of your bill and on the top of the meter. Please ensure that you close the boundary box after reading your meter.