In brief: You will usually find your water meter in the basement or a utility access shaft. For your annual bill, only the reading in cubic metres (m³) is relevant – these are the figures on the black or black-and-white roller register. The red figures or dials show litres and are not reported. Make a note of the meter number and reading.
Once a year, your water supplier asks you to submit your water meter reading. For many people, this is when the search in the basement begins. Reading your water meter is straightforward, however, once you know what to look for. This guide takes you through the process step by step, helps you understand your water usage and can even help you detect hidden leaks.
Where can I find my water meter? Finding the meter
Before you can read it, you first need to find your water meter. Its location depends on your type of home. In detached houses, the water meter is usually installed in the basement, utility room or a service shaft. Look for the main water stopcock where the water supply enters the house. The water meter is normally located directly behind it.
In flats and apartment buildings, it can be more complicated. Sometimes each flat has its own water meter, located inside the property, often in the bathroom, kitchen (behind an inspection panel) or a storage room. In other cases, there is a central meter in the basement and the costs are divided as a standard charge. If in doubt, ask your property manager.
In rural areas or older buildings, the water meter may also be located outside in an underground chamber near the property boundary. This is usually sealed with a heavy metal cover, which you will need to lift carefully.
How do I read my water meter correctly? A step-by-step guide
You have found the meter. Now it is time to take the reading. At first glance, the many numbers and dials may seem confusing, but the system is simple. Follow these steps to determine the correct value.
Identify the meter number
Every water meter has a unique meter number. This is essential so that your supplier can assign your usage to the correct household. Compare the number on your meter reading card with the number printed or embossed directly on the water meter. You will usually find it on the metal ring of the casing or on the dial. If the numbers match, you have found the right meter.
Understanding the meter reading: cubic metres and litres
The heart of the water meter is the register. It consists of several numbered rollers. This is where you need to distinguish between:
- The main register (cubic metres): These are the figures in the black or black-bordered section. They show total usage in whole cubic metres (m³). One cubic metre is equivalent to 1,000 litres of water. This is the reading you need to report to your water supplier.
- The decimal places (litres): The figures in the red section or the small pointers on separate, round scales show the litres. They are used for precise measurement but are irrelevant for your annual bill. Simply leave these values out when submitting your reading.
Only read the figures in the black section from left to right and record this value as your meter reading.
In 2021, the average daily water usage per person in private households was 127 litres. Knowing this figure helps you put your own usage into perspective and identify ways to save water.
The small wheel: your indicator of water flow
Most water meters have a small, rapidly spinning wheel, often shaped like a star or propeller. This wheel is a highly sensitive indicator of water flow. It turns as soon as even a small amount of water flows through the pipe. This makes it a useful tool for finding leaks.
Pro tip
Use your water meter to look for leaks. Make sure all taps, the washing machine, dishwasher and toilet flush are turned off. Now watch the small wheel. If it continues to turn, even very slowly, water is escaping somewhere. This is a quick way to identify leaking pipes or a faulty toilet seal.
Why is my water usage so high? Causes and solutions
An unexpectedly high meter reading on your annual bill is frustrating. Often, small issues add up over the course of a year. The most common causes of high water usage are slowly developing faults and habits that can easily be changed.
The biggest "hidden" sources of water usage include:
- Dripping taps: A tap that drips continuously can waste several thousand litres of water a year.
- Leaking toilet flushes: If water silently runs from the cistern into the toilet bowl, 100 litres or more can be lost each day. A simple test: add a little food colouring to the cistern and wait. If the water in the bowl changes colour without flushing, the seal is faulty.
- Faulty safety valves: A defective valve on a hot water cylinder can also constantly discharge water down the drain.
Especially in summer, watering the garden can significantly increase your usage. A lawn sprinkler can easily use 1,000 litres (one cubic metre) of water in an hour. It is worth switching to water-saving systems or watering targeted areas by hand. Installing water butts can also reduce your water bill and help protect the environment.
A tap that drips only slightly can waste up to 5,000 litres of drinking water a year. A faulty toilet flush that allows water to run unnoticed can increase usage by as much as 150,000 litres annually.
What do the different symbols on a water meter mean?
Alongside the numbers, you will find various symbols and abbreviations on your water meter's dial or casing. These technical details are less important for everyday use, but they are useful to understand. They provide information about the meter's design and approval.
- CE mark: Confirms that the meter complies with EU directives.
- MID: The European Measuring Instruments Directive. The "M" and the year next to it (e.g. M23) show the year in which the conformity assessment was carried out.
- Q3: Permanent flow rate. This indicates the volume of water the meter is designed to handle optimally. A typical household value is Q3=2,5 (2,5 m³/hour).
- Verification year: The year of the last verification is often shown on a seal or directly on the meter.
These details are particularly relevant when it comes to the meter's accuracy or validity.
Important note
Water meters are subject to mandatory verification. The verification period is six years for cold water meters and five years for hot water meters. A meter with an expired verification may no longer measure accurately. Check the verification year on your meter. If it has expired, contact your water supplier or landlord to arrange a replacement.
How do I report my meter reading correctly?
Submitting your meter reading is usually straightforward. Water suppliers offer several ways to do this. The most common is a meter reading card, which you receive by post, fill in and return. Online portals and apps are becoming increasingly popular, allowing you to enter your details directly. In some cases, you can also submit your reading by phone.
Have the following information ready when submitting your reading:
- Your customer number or contract account number
- The meter number for clear identification
- The meter reading in full cubic metres (without the red digits)
- The date of the reading
Be sure to observe the deadline set by your supplier. If you do not report the reading on time, your consumption will be estimated. This estimate may differ from your actual consumption and could result in an additional payment.
Additional advice
Take a photo of your water meter showing the meter reading. Your smartphone will save the photo with the date and time. This gives you personal proof in case there are any discrepancies with your bill. It is a simple and effective way to keep a record.
Reading your water meter correctly is a small but important part of managing your household. It not only ensures accurate billing, but also gives you control over your consumption. By checking the meter regularly, you become the manager of your own water costs and help conserve resources. Whether you are interested in general plumbing and irrigation technology or specific requirements for the garden and outdoor area, a good understanding of your consumption is the basis for making smart decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which numbers on the water meter do I need to report?
- You only need to report the numbers in the black display (the roller counter). These show your consumption in full cubic metres (m³). The red decimal places or small red dials for litres are not relevant for billing and should be omitted.
- What does the small wheel on the water meter mean?
- This small wheel, often a star wheel, shows the current water flow. If it turns even though all taps and appliances in the house are switched off, you probably have a leak in the plumbing system, such as a running toilet.
- How can I detect a leak using the water meter?
- Close all taps and switch off all water-consuming appliances, such as the washing machine. Note the exact position of the red dials or write down the complete meter reading, including the decimal places. Wait at least one hour and check again. If the reading has changed, there is a leak.
- My water meter has no dial. How do I read it?
- Modern water meters are often digital radio water meters. These have a digital display. The meter reading is usually activated by pressing a button or by shining light on a solar cell. The displayed value is generally the correct reading in cubic metres.
- How long is a water meter valid?
- In Germany, the calibration validity period is six years for cold water meters and five years for hot water meters. The calibration year is marked on the meter. A meter with an expired calibration may measure inaccurately and should be replaced by the water supplier or owner.