How to Check Your Water Meter for a Leak
Your water meter is the easiest way to find out whether water is escaping somewhere on your property, even when you can't see it.
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The short answer
Turn off every faucet, appliance and sprinkler, then watch the small leak indicator on your meter. If it moves while nothing is using water, water is flowing somewhere. Hidden leaks add up: the U.S. EPA's WaterSense program says the average household's leaks can account for more than 9,300 gallons of water wasted every year.
Where to find your meter
A typical residential water meter sits in a concrete box near the curb or sidewalk. In Gardena, the meter and meter box belong to the water utility, Golden State Water Company (see our responsibility guide). It's fine to lift the lid and read the meter, but don't tamper with or adjust anything inside. If the lid is stuck or damaged, contact the utility.
Lift the lid carefully. Meter boxes can hold water, mud, insects or spiders. Use a screwdriver or similar tool to lift the lid rather than your fingers.
Find the leak indicator
Most meters have a small leak (or low-flow) indicator, often a colored triangle, star or asterisk near the center of the display. It spins when even a small amount of water flows through the meter, as the City of Mountain View's meter guide explains.
Test 1: The quick check (a few minutes)
- Turn off all water use inside and outside, including the washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker and irrigation.
- Make sure nobody uses water during the test.
- Watch the leak indicator for a couple of minutes.
If it turns while nothing is running, you likely have a leak.
Test 2: The two-hour check (catches slow leaks)
EPA WaterSense recommends checking your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. Write down or photograph the full meter reading, wait two hours without using any water, then read it again. If the reading changed at all, you probably have a leak.
Test 3: Indoor leak or service line leak?
If the meter shows a leak, find out where it is:
- Close your home's main shutoff valve, only if it's easy and safe to operate.
- Repeat the quick check at the meter.
| With the house valve closed… | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| The indicator stops | The leak is likely inside the house or in irrigation after the valve: a toilet, fixture or appliance. |
| The indicator keeps moving | The leak is likely between the meter and the house valve, which is often the water service line. |
Bonus: The toilet dye test
Toilets are one of the most common sources of indoor leaks. EPA WaterSense suggests adding a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet to the toilet tank, waiting 5 to 10 minutes without flushing, and checking the bowl. If color appears, the flapper or flush valve is leaking. Flush afterward to avoid staining.
What to do next
- Leak at or inside the meter box, or water in the street: contact Golden State Water.
- Leak between the meter and the house: read about leak detection and water service line repair.
- Leak inside the house: check toilets, faucets, the water heater and irrigation valves.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. An on-site assessment by a qualified provider is the only way to know what's happening with a specific line. Gardena Water Line Pros is a referral service, not a plumbing contractor.
Related guides
Meter still moving with the house shut off?
That often points to the service line. Call to be connected with an independent provider, when one is available.
Referral service: Gardena Water Line Pros is not a plumbing contractor. Your call may be connected to an independent, third-party service provider who sets its own availability, pricing and terms. Read our referral disclosure.