Typical installation time is approximately 4 hours.

Installation of the meter will be in the same vicinity of the existing service valve. Conditions may arise that prevent the meter from being installed in the same spot as the service valve such as trees and retaining walls. Efforts will be made to keep the meter as close as possible to the original valve.

District crews will make every effort to keep the impact on landscaping to a minimum. Some installation may require the relocation of plants or vegetation. District crews are fully aware of the importance of landscape restoration.

Typically the pressure is not noticeably affected. Due to the configuration of the meter a minimal amount of pressure is lost.

You will still retain the same approximate volume of water through the meter as you did through the existing valve.

Just like gas and electric meters, water meters read left to right. The water meters used by the District are calibrated to measure volume in cubic feet (12 in. X 12 in. X 12 in.). The dials of the meter read in an industry standard of (1) ‘ccf’ equating to 100 cubic feet or 750 gallons (one cubic foot is equal to 7.5 gallons). Customer service representatives are available to help customers learn to read their meter. If you need any assistance please call our office at (916) 483-2452. 

We will begin bimonthly reading immediately after the installation in order to supply you with consumption data. The information collected will also give the District historical data for use in long-term planning as well as aid in leak detection for both the District and Homeowner.

No, customers will remain on a “Flat Rate” until they are transitioned to metered billing. The District will supply you with usage information on your normal bill for at least one year prior to the transition to metered billing, at which time you will be billed on a bimonthly service charge and commodity (usage) rate. In order to provide you with the usage information, there will be a change in your billing due date. The initial bill following the installation of the meter will change from the even month cycle to the odd month cycle, which will cause a onetime only back-to-back billing.

Per Carmichael Water District Construction Improvement Standards, meters are installed with a dual check valve. The purpose of the check valve is to prevent water from a customer’s plumbing system from back-flowing into the potable water supply. The installation of a dual check valve may result in a potential closed plumbing system within the premises preventing hot water from back-flowing into the public supply. As such, provisions may have to be made by the consumer to provide for thermal expansion within their system, i.e.: the installation of thermal expansion devices and/or pressure relief valves. Check with the manufacture of your water heater for details.