New Proposal Pushes for Smarter, More Accurate Water Meters
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 26, 2013) — In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) joined forces with utilities nationwide to tackle hidden water waste. Together, they also work on and submitted a formal proposal to the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Their goal? To update outdated national standards for water meter accuracy—especially for low-flow leaks that often go undetected.
A Coalition for Change
Partners in the proposal include Austin Water Utility and San Antonio Water System in Texas. American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility, also joined. In addition, East Bay Municipal Utility District in California and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection offered their full support. Each group agrees: It’s time to revise AWWA’s standards to reflect current technology and detect more subtle, continuous leaks in homes and businesses.
Standards Stuck in the Past
Although modern water meters are more advanced, current standards fail to keep pace. In fact, the benchmarks for accuracy haven’t changed in over a century. Therefore, even with newer equipment, utilities struggle to detect and charge for small leaks—leaks that may waste hundreds of gallons each day. These oversights lead to higher costs for both customers and communities.
Precision Brings Big Benefits
By strengthening standards, this proposal aims to close that gap. The changes would require meters to register low-flow water loss with greater precision. As a result, customers would become more aware of silent leaks. Then, with early warnings from their bills, they could take faster action to repair them.
Savings for People and the Planet
In the long run, this strategy supports not just conservation but also financial stability. Because utilities would capture more accurate usage data, they could plan more effectively and set rates based on real consumption—not estimates skewed by missed leaks. Additionally, the environment would benefit. Less water waste means more sustainable use of the nation’s drinking water supplies.
A Smart Response to Climate Challenges
As the impacts of climate change intensify, essentially every drop counts. That’s why utility leaders and environmental advocates alike are urging swift approval of these revised standards. With this proposal, they hope to create a smarter, more efficient water system that saves resources—and money—for years to come.
Why It Matters
“Water leaks are incredibly common,” said Tracy Quinn, NRDC Water Policy Analyst. “They often hide in plain sight. Yet they waste a huge amount of water. At the same time, they raise costs for everyone.”
Leaks that meters can’t detect don’t just waste water. They also show up as higher bills for all customers. However, with better accuracy standards, utilities can catch leaks sooner. Then, customers can fix problems faster—and save money.
According to the EPA’s WaterSense Program, over one trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. Even worse, 10 percent of homes lose 90 gallons or more per day—more notably and often without anyone noticing.
Current Standards Are Outdated
Current standards haven’t changed since 1921. Most meters today only measure water use accurately at flows above ¼ gallon per minute. That means slow leaks—like a dripping faucet or toilet—may not be recorded at all.
Even small leaks add up fast. Some homes lose 100 gallons a day or more. As a result, utilities recover those costs by raising rates for everyone.
What the Proposal Seeks to Remedy for Water Meter Leaks
NRDC’s proposal most importantly targets three common meter types:
- Positive displacement
- Single-jet
- Multi-jet meters
It also introduces a new “leak detection flow test.” This test requires meters to reach at least 80% accuracy at flow rates 75% lower than current test levels. So, meters could finally catch real-world leaks before they waste too much water—or money.
What Utility Leaders Are Saying about Water Meter Leaks
Dan Strub, Austin Water Utility:
“More accurate meters help us track water losses. As a result, we can fix problems faster and help customers protect their homes.”
Anastasia Valdes, San Antonio Water System:
“Meters are our cash register. If they miss low-flow leaks, it’s unfair. Some customers pay more to cover those losses.”
Dave Hughes, American Water:
“Technology has improved. So it’s time for standards to match. Better meters help us save water and protect our resources.”
Richard Harris, East Bay Municipal Utility District:
“Low-flow leaks are rising. Accurate meters are key. They support both conservation and financial planning.”
Fix Water Meter Leaks. Save Water. Save Money.
This proposal builds on EPA’s Fix-a-Leak Week. That campaign urges people to check for leaks in faucets, toilets, and irrigation systems. Even better, simple fixes—like tightening a joint or replacing a worn gasket—can stop the waste.
By installing better meters, utilities can spot leaks earlier. That way, homeowners get alerts on their bills and take action. In the end, everyone wins: less waste, lower bills, and a more sustainable water system.
With smarter, more accurate meters, utilities can also track usage more precisely. At the same time, consumers can also get clearer signals to fix problems early. Ultimately, this essentially helps conserve water, reduce costs, and protect our most vital resource.
Sources:
Finally and for more information about national water metering standards and also leak prevention at home.
- Joint Proposal to American Water Works Assoc.:
- Tracy Quinn’s blog:
- Ed Osann’s blog
- EPA WaterSense’s Fix-a-leak Week
Sources: The Natural Resources Defense Council www.nrdc.org, American Water http://www.amwater.com and Austin Water
