Frequently Asked Questions

Each meter used by Coachella Valley Water District meets the high standards of the American Water Works Association and must be accurate within 1.5% in order to pass inspection. When meters do fail, usually due to excessive wear or corrosion, the result is water moves through the meter undetected, causing an inaccurately low reading. Faulty meters almost always measure less water, not more. See our brochure for additional information.

Your water meter mechanically records water as it flows through the pipes. For most meters, an employee visually reads the meter each month and inputs the reading into a hand-held computer. If the reading is unusually high or low the computer will beep. Employees are then required to take another look and input it a 2nd time to ensure he or she is reading and inputting the number accurately.

There are a number of factors that could result in an unusually high water bill. The most common causes of high water bills are overwatering outdoor landscapes and undetected leaks. During the summer, refilling the pool or increasing your landscape watering time can cause a significant increase in water use. In cooler seasons, customers who forget to adjust their irrigation clocks will often find they have exceeded their water budget and have to pay a higher bill. Other reasons your bill may be unusually high are out-of-town guests who increased water usage through showers and laundry. See our brochure for more information.

It is easy to determine if you have a leak in your system. First, shut off all water-using fixtures and the irrigation system. Go look at your water meter (be careful of spiders or bees under the lid). If the dial is showing water use, despite everything being turned off, then there is a leak. Toilet leaks are very common. Irrigation system leaks can be the biggest offenders. Call a leak detection company if you are having trouble determining the source of your leak. Visit our Publications page to find CVWD’s Water Wise at Home guide for tips on how to find a leak, and a video on how to read your water meter to detect if you have a leak.