Water Service

Home Water Meters

Your water meter is a precision instrument built to the exacting standards of the industry. The device is used to measure water usage in gallons.

After a three-year installation process, most homes in Monroe now have new electronic meters. Each meter has a number that corresponds to that address. By simply driving by the residence, the meter reader receives a transmission from the water meter on a portable unit. Data from that portable unit is then downloaded into the City's new utility billing system. Meters are normally read between the 20th and the 25th of each month. The reading date will be stated on each bill. That usage will be reflected on the next bill, which is sent at the end of the month.

Reading Home Water Meters

All new homes in Monroe are required to have water meters installed in pits in the front yard. Older homes will probably have meters located inside the premises. Each meter is read remotely by use of radio technology. The unit that allows this technology to be used is located on the lid of the water meter pit, so please be careful while mowing or working around the pit lid. You may damage the radio read unit located in the lid of the meter pit if you have your blades set too low on your lawn mower. The unit may also be damaged if it is hit by any other yard tool you may be using. If we are unable to read your meter due to damage to the radio read unit, the homeowner will be billed for the repairs. 

Please do not cover the water meter pit with sod or landscaping. If the pit has been covered with landscaping, we may not be able to read the meter. The homeowner will be contacted to have a plumber of their choice, or a technician from the City of Monroe, correct the problem by raising the pit. The homeowner will be responsible for the cost for all labor and materials needed. If a technician from the City of Monroe corrects the problem, the City will not be responsible for damage to landscaping while completing the repair.

Leaks

The meter also contains a leak detector indicator. This is a small, red asterisk to the left of the center of the dial. This indicator moves even with minute amounts of water flow. If all water-using appliances are turned off and not using water, the indicator should not be moving. If it is, there is a leak somewhere in the home distribution system. It is your responsibility to have leaks repaired unless it is at the meter itself.

Meter Inaccuracies

If you think your meter is inaccurate, you may request your meter be certified by removal and testing of the device. If the meter is tested and meets the accuracy standard, you will be required to pay the charge set forth in the rate schedules for the test (presently $24). If the meter is found to be registering more water than is truly passing through it, above the standard, you will not be charged for the test, and billing adjustment will be made to compensate you for the over registration.

City Ownership of Meters

The meters are owned, installed and maintained by the City of Monroe. Water meters must remain accessible at all times for reading, inspection and removal for repairs. Meter locations must be approved by the Monroe Water Department, as are any changes in the location of the meter.

Second Meters for Outside Watering

Sewer charges apply to all water used, regardless if it is used for outside watering purposes or any other uses where water does not go through the sewer system. A summer sewer credit will be issued for usage in the months of June, July, and August. 

The sewer system is controlled by Butler County Environmental Services, who also set the sewer rates. If you wish to avoid sewer charges for outside watering purposes for months other than June, July, and August, you may have a 2nd meter installed at your expense which will measure outside water separately. 

2nd Meter Rates & Installation

As with your inside meter, there is a $5 facility fee per month for the second meter plus any usage charged at the current rate. The second meter is a permanent installation; there is no winter disconnect. There are no sewer charges on the second meter. The meter setting fee for a typical 3/4 inches residential meter is approximately $177 for the meter, plus a $50 inspection fee. 

It is your responsibility to have all the preparatory plumbing work completed, as we only set the meter and do an inspection on the work performed by your plumber. If your meter is located inside your home, the second meter must be installed before the main meter at a point between the meter and the shut-off valve. If you have a pit meter in your yard, a second line to the house from the pit will need to be installed. All outside faucets will need to be disconnected from the inside water and hooked up to the new pipe. The amount of plumbing work necessary to install a 2nd meter is unique to each location.

Water & Sewer Rate Survey

View the results of our 2023 Water and Sewer Rate Survey (PDF).