In the chain that safely delivers pure water to our residences, business, and industries, monitoring usage is becoming paramount. A valuable resource of this requires close observation for any number of reasons, including preventing abuse and warning of such issues as leaks. The perfect tool to ensure tracking of water use is the water meter. If the installation cannot occur within the premises, it finds its home outside. When this situation arises, utility companies put in water meter pits.
Purpose
The water meter pit is a constructed vault or chamber. It lies beneath the surface and comprises one component of the entire water system to a business, industry or residence. It provides protection and easy access to the water meter. A meter reader or other personnel for the utility company or municipality can access the meter and read it. This allows them to assess the water usage for billing and repair purposes without having to arrange to enter the premises.
Construction
Meter pits are a concrete plastic or polymer structure. The design is a box shape with a hatch. To simplify matters, the concrete is precast into the desired shape for installation. Inside such water meter pits reside the following:
- Valves
- Flanged piping systems
- Mounting mechanism
- Service valve
- Check valve
- Meter
In some cases, the utility company hardwires the meter; in other instances, wireless transmission is in place. Both these methods allow utility companies or other invested parties to monitor the water usage for the business or industrial concern.
Water Meter Pits
American utility companies install a meter pit for various reasons, including easy access and ease of monitoring water usage. From the late 19th century, utility departments as well as meter readers have shown a preference for such devices. Technological advances to include such things as underground tracer wire and other forms of wireless transmission ensure continued favoritism towards the installation of water meter pits into the future.
