Skip to Content
Close Alert Banner

RMWB Logo RMWB Logo

  • Contact Pulse
  • Business and Development
    • Procurement
    • Business Services and Support
    • Development and Planning
    • Downtown Fort McMurray
    • Flood Mitigation
    • Maps
    • Permits and Resources
    • Safety Codes Permits
    • Waterfront Park Revitalization
  • Bylaw and Animal Services
    • Animal Services
    • Backyard Hens Pilot Project
    • Bylaws
    • Community Standards
    • Parking
    • Report an Issue
    • Automated Traffic Enforcement
    • Vehicle for Hire
  • Community Services and Social Support
    • Equity and Inclusion
    • Grants and Funding
    • Homelessness and Housing
    • Seniors' Services and Programs
    • Social Support Services
    • Victim Services
  • Employment
    • Current Opportunities
    • Firefighter and Paramedic Recruitment
    • Human Resources
  • Events and Involvement
    • All That & More Podcast
    • Event Permits
    • Events
    • MACOY
    • Participate Wood Buffalo
    • Townhalls
    • Wood Buffalo Volunteers
  • Fire, Police and Emergency Services
    • 9-1-1
    • Fire Updates
    • Emergency Alerts
    • Emergency Medical Services
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Fire Codes and Permits
    • Fire Departments
    • Fire Prevention and Safety
    • FireSmart
    • Royal Canadian Mounted Police
    • Vulnerable Persons Registry
  • Garbage, Recycling and Disposal
    • Garbage & Recycling Services
    • Landfill
    • Soil Disposal
  • Indigenous and Rural Communities
    • Anzac
    • Conklin
    • Draper
    • Fort Chipewyan
    • Fort Fitzgerald
    • Fort McKay
    • Fort McMurray
    • Gregoire Lake Estates
    • Janvier
    • Saprae Creek Estates
    • Rural Bus Schedules and Fees
  • Mayor, Council and Administration
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Boards and Committees
    • Bylaws
    • Contact Us
    • Council
    • Elections
    • Mayor
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
    • Policies
  • Parks, Recreation and Heritage
    • Parks and Facilities Map
    • BearSmart
    • Cemeteries
    • Communities in Bloom
    • Community Cleanup
    • Community Gardens
    • Community Rinks
    • Culture, Heritage & Public Art
    • Facility Rentals
    • Off-Highway Vehicles
    • Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
    • Trees
  • Property Taxes
    • Assessments
    • Change of Address Form
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Non-Profit Organization Tax Exemptions
    • Paying Property Taxes
    • Property Tax Sale
    • Rural Small Business Tax Class
    • School Support
    • Tax Rates
    • Tax Refund Requests
  • Roads and Construction
    • Automated Traffic Enforcement
    • Construction Map
    • Construction Projects
    • Draper Slope Stability Reports
    • Parking
    • Route/Haul Permits
    • Snow Plowing and Removal
    • Street Sweeping
    • Winter Roads
  • Transit
    • Advertising
    • Bike and Ride
    • Fares and Passes
    • Routes and Schedules
    • Rural Bus Schedules and Fees
    • Safety and Etiquette
    • School Transit Service
    • Specialized Transit
    • Statutory Holidays Schedule
    • Transit News and Alerts
    • Transit Data Feed
  • Truth and Reconciliation
    • Learn
    • Act
    • Calls to Action
  • Utilities and Water
    • Billing
    • Bulk Water
    • Change of Address Form
    • Commercial Services
    • Fat, Oil and Grease
    • Open or Close a Utility Account
    • Responsible Sewer Use
    • Rural Water & Sewer Service
    • Sewer Backups
    • Water Conservation
    • Water Metering
    • Water Quality
HomeUtilities and WaterWater Metering
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn Pinterest
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

Water Metering

A household water meter is a brass fixture about the size of two fists put together. Water meters are connected to an automatic reading box (ARB) outside the home. The municipality uses the ARB to measure water flow into your home. The measurement determines water and sewer charges.

Read your water meter

The municipality will use the ARB to read your water meter for billing purposes. If you want to read the meter to monitor your water use, here's how:

Step one

Shine a flashlight over the flashlight icon to activate the LCD display. *

*Please note that when the display is activated with a flashlight, it will display all icons briefly, and then firmware information. The display will then toggle every four seconds between the reading and the flow rate. When the display shows, “RATE,” it is displaying the flow rate.

Step two

Take a reading at a set time of day. Take a second reading at the same time the next day. The difference between the two readings will be your water consumption amount.

Important note

The meter reads in cubic meters. One cubic meter is 220 imperial gallons.

Test for leaks in your home

Your water meter can be used to test for household leaks. Here are a few ways to test for leaks with your water meter:

Test with snoop indicator

A snoop indicator is a small red triangle or pointer that rotates when water passes through the meter. It will show flows as low a slow drip.

To perform a test, make sure everything is turned off, including:

  • toilets
  • sinks
  • automatic water sprinklers
  • hoses
  • automatic humidifiers
  • automatic ice machines
  • automatic drinking water filters or reverse osmosis devices

After everything is turned off, watch the red triangle or pointer for a minute or two. If the pointer moves, either something is using water, or there is a leak. If you suspect a leak, please call to make an appointment for a technician to check your meter.

Test with leak indicator

Here is how to read a water meter's leak indicator:

  • Off – no leaks
  • Flashing – possible leak (water usage for more than 50% of time in 24-hour period)
  • Continuous on – there is likely a leak in your home

Flow indicator

The flow indicator on your water meter displays the direction of water flow. Here's how to read it:

  • On – water in use
  • Off – water not in use
  • Flashing – water is running slowly
  • (-) indicates reverse flow
  • (+) indicates forward flow
Subscribe to page updates
Utilities and Water
  • Billing
  • Bulk Water
  • Change of Address Form
  • Commercial Services
  • Fat, Oil and Grease
    Toggle Section Fat, Oil and Grease Menu
    • Commercial Business FOG Program
  • Open or Close a Utility Account
  • Responsible Sewer Use
  • Rural Water & Sewer Service
  • Sewer Backups
  • Water Conservation
  • Water Metering
  • Water Quality
    Toggle Section Water Quality Menu
    • Hydrant Flushing
    • Residential Water Sampling

Contact us

Services
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo footer logo

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 2K4

Phone: 780-743-7000
Toll free: 1-800-973-9663

Subscribe to News

Stay up to date on RMWB news,
programs and operations
by subscribing to our news categories.

Subscribe

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Website Resources

  • Access to Information and Privacy
  • Pay Bills Online
  • Sitemap
  • Social Media
  • Website Feedback

Copyright © .

By GHD Digital

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.