This year we have finished upgrading all of our customers’ meters to the latest technology. This technology allows our staff to quickly pull in the reads cellularly on the first day of the month to bill out the usage for that month and to see customers usage as well to help with any questions they may have. Since this technology is used with cellular networks, it must have unobstructed access to the cellular network, meaning nothing can cover the meter pit/lid.

The water meter for your home is located in a meter pit near the property line. The water meter pit is a cylindrical vault buried in the ground with a cover and a lid that houses the water meter. The meter lid is approximately one foot in diameter and indicates “Water” on the cover. Our staff need to have ready access to the meter cover and the water meter inside in the event that they need to do maintenance on the equipment inside the meter pit or if the water to the property needs to be shut off. No sod, landscaping material, concrete, or asphalt is allowed to cover the meter lid. We also request that no shrubbery, rock gardens or trees be planted within 10 feet of the meter so that our staff can easily access the water meter and so the staff will not have to disturb the landscaping if they need to get to the meter pit. If you have existing shrubs or trees near the meter pit, consider relocating them before they mature. The District is not responsible for replacing them in the event we need to access our meter pit. The District maintains the waterline from the street to the meter pit, while the homeowner is responsible for the service line from the meter pit to the house.

An example of a meter pit that is not well-maintained Photo courtesy of Pinery Water Staff.

An example of a well-maintained meter pit. Photo courtesy of Pinery Water Staff.

Winter is fast approaching and each year the District receives calls from homeowners with no water due to freezing. Here are some tips to help prevent and thaw frozen pipes at home.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up and out of reach of the children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold-water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.

If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes 

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

References: Red Cross