Make it a habit. Once a month, at the same time of day—say, after your morning coffee but before you forget—go read your meter. Write down the number. Subtract last month’s number. That’s your usage. If it’s suddenly higher than normal (and you didn’t host a car wash for your entire neighborhood), you’ve got a mystery to solve. Is a kid leaving the hose on? Is the sprinkler system glitching? You’re the detective. The meter is your sidekick. Use it.
The No-Water-Use Weekend Test
Going away for a weekend? Read the meter before you leave. Read it when you get back. If it changed, you have a consistent leak. This is your new superpower. Imagine telling your friends, “I caught my water meter lying.” You’ll feel like a superhero with a multimeter and a suspicious eyebrow. Own it.
