How to Choose the Right Water Meter for Your Application?

Choosing a water meter is not as straightforward as it might seem. Different applications may require different types of water meters. So it&#;s important to understand the factors that influence water meter selection, so you can choose the right one for your application, whether residential, commercial, or industrial. In this article, we explore nine important factors in water meter selection.

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Factors to Consider When Selecting a Water Meter

Water meter selection has no room for error. Choosing the incorrect meter can complicate matters, leading to inaccurate readings, poor flow rates, unnecessary wastage, and faster meter deterioration. You can improve your proficiency in picking the ideal water meter for various applications by considering the nine factors below.

1. Meter Size

Size is among the first points to consider when choosing a water meter. The meter size determines the minimum and maximum flow rate from the supply source to your residential, commercial, or industrial application. It impacts water pressure and can influence readings and the service life of the meter.

Standard meters come in different sizes, including 5/8&#;, 3/4&#;, 1&#;, 1.5&#;, and 2&#;. Choosing the incorrect meter size can lead to inaccurate readings because of increased or decreased water pressure. The ideal meter size should ensure that the maximum flow rate does not exceed constant flow within nominal operating conditions. Check the flow rate in your distribution system to determine the appropriate meter size for your application.

2. Water Source and Cleanliness

When selecting a water meter, you&#;ll need to consider your water supply source. Does your water come from a river, a well, a pipe, or somewhere else? Where your water comes from will influence its quality, and therefore the type of meter you&#;ll need.

For example, mechanical water meters are not ideal for applications where the water is not of good quality, as poor-quality water can quickly wear out the propeller and other moving parts inside the meter. This type of water meter is better suited to measuring less contaminated water. In addition, the water source will affect the range of flow rates and pressures and consequently the selection of the right water meter for the application.

3. Measurement Accuracy

The essence of installing a water meter is to ensure accurate readings. Knowing how much water flows into your building or unit can help minimize consumption and encourage conservation. Considering this, the ideal water meter should be as precise as possible, constantly delivering the same readings under similar conditions.

Inaccurate readings might result in quality issues and high energy costs. For a water meter to be accurate, the environmental conditions must meet the manufacturer&#;s requirements. These requirements include the flow range, temperature, vibration, installation, and flow profile.

4. Water Demand & Flow Rate

Normally observed over the course of a week, the water demand for a building can vary according to its use, the number of occupants, the time of day and the season. While some applications experience very little fluctuation in water consumption, others can experience significant variations. It&#;s therefore important to choose a water meter capable of operating under the flow conditions dictated by the building or application, whether they be variable or more or less stable.

To do this, you&#;ll need to know the operating flow rates of the chosen water meter, which include minimum, transitional, permanent and overload flow rates. The ideal water meter must be able to handle the different flow rates of your application, as choosing the wrong meter, once again, can lead to inaccurate measurements and premature meter wear.

5. Pressure Loss

Pressure loss is an important element to consider when selecting a water meter, as choosing the wrong meter for your application will impact your system&#;s performance. To choose the right meter, start by determining the acceptable pressure loss for your building or application.

The acceptable pressure drop across the meter should be 10% of the initial pressure in the pipe. For example, if the pound per square inch (PSI) in the piping system is 80 PSI, the acceptable pressure drop should be 8 PSI. If the pressure is too low, the meter may fail and give inaccurate readings.

Once this acceptable pressure loss has been identified, select a water meter that falls within this pressure range, or provide provisions to compensate for proper system operation, such as a booster pump.

6. Location

In Canada, water meters are mostly installed indoors to protect them from the harsh conditions of our northern climate. However, some regions with milder climates, such as southern British Columbia, may allow installation in underground chambers. Wherever the meter is installed, it&#;s essential to choose the right technology to enable it to operate under optimum conditions.

The piping system is another factor influencing location. The meter may be placed next to the pumping station, before a control valve or before an elbow. The direction of piping also affects whether the meter is installed vertically or horizontally. The right location for the meter determines its overall performance and guarantees more accurate readings.

7. Installation Requirements

In addition to the location and other factors mentioned above, it&#;s also important to check the conditions under which the water meter is installed. These conditions can vary from one water meter to another and include information such as orientation, accessibility, length of pipes, the addition of a strainer, installation of a certain type of valve and more. It&#;s therefore important to take these factors into account when selecting your meter to ensure optimal operation and optimize its service life. Many manufacturers and suppliers supply guides with their water meters to facilitate installation.

8. Budget & Cost

Price comparison is a vital part of water meter selection. After all, water meters come with different price tags based on their features and specifications. The most dependable and accurate meters are pricier thanks to their high-reliability ratings. They are less likely to fail and provide accurate readings all the time.

The buying price is not the only factor to consider. Buyers should consider other costs, including installation, maintenance, calibration, adjustment, longevity, and data collection. Talking to an expert can help you decide the appropriate meter for your application based on your budget.

9. Durability & Maintenance Requirements

The lifespan of a water meter depends on several factors, such as make, installation, technology, operating mechanism, workload, and maintenance. On average, a solid water meter should last at least 12 years before requiring a replacement. The ideal water meter should be durable and easy to maintain. Moreover, replacement parts should be readily available for easy repairs. Ensure the meter site is easily accessible and clear of any hazardous materials for proper maintenance.

Conclusion

Selecting the right water meter for an application is based on several factors. These include considerations related to the building, its use, location, available space and meter size, and more economic factors such as budget, measurement accuracy and maintenance. Defining the conditions of your application from the outset will enable you to choose the right water meter quickly from among the many options available. And while choosing the right water meter help conserve water and reduce energy costs, it can potentially help detect leaks.

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If you&#;re considering the purchase of a mechanical water meter and need assistance, our experts are ready to answer all your questions. Please view our selection of mechanical water meters and contact us for more information.

Meter Information

How to Submit a Meter Reading through the on-line application

How to Submit a Meter Reading via District Office

Contact Information by District Office

Metering Orders

STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS

On December 5, , the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (OSE) first adopted minimum specifications for devices designed to measure the diversion of underground water. This is an update to those original specifications. All groundwater measurement devices installed to meet the OSE requirements must have been previously approved and listed on the &#;FLOW METER LIST&#; prior to purchase and installation.

List of Approved Meters

Again, all flow meters must be approved by the OSE prior to installation. Any requests to add a meter to the current Flow Meter List of OSE acceptable meters must originate from the meter manufacturer and must include all documentation necessary to make a determination whether the meter meets the specifications established by the OSE.

Additional requirements for groundwater measurement devices may be established by the OSE on a case-by-case basis.

Specifications for Groundwater Measurement Devices

Statewide Groundwater Measurement Specifications

General Requirements

1. Requests to add new meters to the current Flow Meter List of OSE acceptable meters must be initiated by the flow meter manufacturer and must include the meter specifications for installation and accuracy test results.


2. All wells required by the OSE to be equipped with a totalizing meter (such as by permit condition, by rules and regulations, or by State Engineer order) shall have a meter installed before the first branch leaving the well and additional meters must be installed before each subsequent branch leading to a differently permitted diversion or type of use. There shall be no diversions between the wellhead and the first meter. All meters shall be installed, inspected, repaired, and maintained in accordance with the meter manufacturer&#;s specifications. Each meter shall be of a type acceptable to the OSE and shall be installed, maintained and repaired to be operational in a manner that is acceptable to the OSE.


3. The meter shall be a totalizing flow meter with a rated accuracy of plus or minus two (2) percent of actual flow. The installed accuracy of the meter and any secondary equipment such as data recorders shall be within plus or minus ten (10) percent of actual flow and a design accuracy of plus or minus 2 percent under the manufacturer&#;s specifications. The meter shall be factory calibrated or calibrated according to industry standards upon installation, and shall be tested for accuracy or re-calibrated at least once every three years thereafter.


4. The totalizing flow meter shall measure volumes in sufficient units (Gal, BBLs or Acre-Feet) and contain sufficient recording digits to assure that "roll over" to zero does not occur within a one-year period.


5. The totalizing flow meter must be equipped with a direct reading type totalizing register. The units of measurement and the multiplier, if any, for determining the total amount of water diverted and direction of water flow shall be indicated on the meter and clearly indicate a manufacturer unique serial number on the meter head.


6. The meter register or display shall record total volume and instantaneous flow rate or be capable of flow rate calculation, must not be resettable and be equipped with a waterproof and tamper proof seal. The display register must always be on to allow reading even if meter is not in operation.


7. The totalizing register and rate of flow indicator may be required to be sealed with a device or by a procedure acceptable to the OSE (e.g. a wire and lead seal) to prevent tampering or unauthorized removal.


8. The meter shall be installed and maintained in such a manner as to prevent meter error, for example, due to the pipe being incompletely filled with water at the location of the meter.


9. The meter shall be installed and maintained in such a manner as to prevent meter error due to the meter being too close to obstructions in the discharge pipe, such as valves, pumps, bends in the pipe or changes in pipe inner diameter. The meter shall be installed at a distance of at least 10 pipe diameters downstream, and at least five pipe diameters upstream from obstructions to flow, unless manufacturer's installation instructions specify a shorter minimum run of straight pipe.


10. Pursuant to section 72-8-1 NMSA, the well owner shall allow the State Engineer and his representatives entry upon private property for the performance of their respective duties, including access to the well for meter reading and water level measurement. The meter shall be accessible for reading, inspection and testing by a representative of the State Engineer, including the appointed Water Master.


11. OSE staff may periodically conduct an accuracy test of the totalizing meter and if the readings show a discrepancy of more than 10% of the volume measured, the owner of the well will be required to repair, maintain, or if necessary, replace the meter.


12. Measurement devices in place prior to the adoption of these specifications may continue in operation as long as the device is performing in a manner acceptable to the OSE. When an existing measurement device is replaced, the replacement device shall meet the required specifications in effect at the time of replacement. Measurement devices that are found to be broken or non-functioning shall be replaced within 30 days of discovery, with the exception that alternate methods of measurement or estimation may occur with pre-approval of the OSE for 30 days or until the meter is repaired or replaced.

2. Specific Requirements:

Depending on whether a well is categorized as a well used for domestic, livestock, irrigation, municipal, commercial and/or industrial purposes, the following requirements shall apply:

1. A domestic or livestock well shall be equipped with a totalizing flow meter with a register providing direct readings in gallons with a multiplier of 10.


2. An irrigation well shall be equipped with a non-resettable totalizing flow meter with a register providing direct readings in gallons or barrels (with a multiplier of 100 or ), or acre-feet (with a decimal place to the thousandth) and the reading must be retained with non-volatile memory*.


3. A municipal and/or industrial well shall be equipped with a non-resettable totalizing flow meter register providing direct readings in gallons or barrels (with a multiplier of 100 or ), or acre-feet (with a decimal place to the thousandth) and the reading must be retained with non-volatile memory*.

*(Non-volatile memory is typically a reading which is retained with backup power or by using a data logger.)

3. Meter Reporting:

Any owner of a well who installs or has installed a totalizing flow meter shall submit OSE form WR-26, detailing the specifications of the installed meter including the Make, Model, Serial Number, Units of Measurement, Multiplier, if any, and initial reading and verifying its proper installation and field verification prior to any diversion of water from the well. If a meter is replaced, the details of the replaced meter together with the final reading must be included on the form.

Meter reports shall be filed with the State Engineer on a form or method prescribed by the state engineer based on the following usage:

1. Meter reporting for domestic or livestock well usage shall be submitted to the OSE, in writing, on a quarterly basis for the calendar year on or before the 10th day of January, April, July and October for the preceding 3 months.


2. Meter reading reporting for irrigation, municipal, commercial and/or industrial usage shall be submitted to the OSE, in writing, on a monthly basis on or before the 10th day of each month for the preceding calendar month.

The Office of the State Engineer MrWeb -Water Rights Meter Reading Applicatio is a self-service tool that allows you to directly enter your Water Rights meter readings. The Meter Reading App is compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari. Internet Explorer is not supported.

Please be aware that the Meter Reading App is not compatible with all Water Rights file numbers.  If your Water Rights file number is located in an area that is not abstracted, you may not be able to submit to the Meter Reading App as it will indicate your file number does not have a meter record associated with it. See the WATERS MAP - Abstracted Areas for currently abstracted areas.

If your file number or meter is not found, please continue sending the Meter Reading form (WR-26 Totalizing Meter Report) to the appropriate district office address in accordance with Meter Reading instructions.

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