Metering in California – Need to Know Fact sheet

This fact sheet examines the effectiveness of water metering as a tool to reduce excessive or wasteful water use by both utility companies and customers. While several California cities and municipalities have successfully implemented water metering policies, more than 219,000 customers statewide remain unmetered. Although meters have a high installation cost, they are a key conservation measure that reduces vulnerability to drought and other water supply constraints. Metering is an essential water management strategy. Expanding and improving metering should be a priority for all California utilities. When customers are charged for their water use by volume, it is a signal to improve water conservation and efficiency habits. Metering also helps utilities identify and repair leaks in the system. Submetering of multi-family homes, which account for 31% of California’s housing units, could significantly increase water savings.
Key findings include:
Infographic: Unmetered Connections in CaliforniaOverview
Key Findings
Resources