HOUSTON – If you get an unexpected high-water bill, one of the first things you should do is check your meter and ensure you don’t have a leak.
But several of you have reached out to “2 Helps You” because you can’t get the lid off of your new meter box.
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KPRC’s Amy Davis has invested years troubleshooting problems with the City of Houston Water Department as part of our “DRAINED” series.
The city is in the process of replacing broken and outdated meter sensors all over Houston. And when yours is replaced, you will notice that it looks a little different. It also takes a little more effort to open. You are not locked out, you just have to know how to open it.
Randa Bakht wanted to open her new meter box to make sure she could check the readings and access the water shut-off in an emergency.
“Normally, I would just pull it up with my hands and it wouldn’t come off, and then I thought, ‘Well maybe I needed to move this around and this thing was turning before,’” said Randa Bakht. “So, I sort of panicked because what if there’s going to be like a water leak or something or, you know, some bad weather or something like that is I need to know how to turn it off.”
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When she couldn’t open the lid, she called 3-1-1, but says no one could tell her how to lift the lid.
Houston residents encountering difficulties accessing their newly installed water meter boxes now have a simple solution, according to city officials.
The Houston Public Works Department has replaced nearly 125,000 water meter sensors throughout the city, implementing new technology that improves reading accuracy while adding security features to protect the equipment.
“These new meter boxes have a locking mechanism for protection,” explains William Satler from Houston Public Works. “We want to protect the inside components from damage and prevent animals or snakes from getting inside.”
How to open your new Water meter box
Residents who need to check their water usage or access the shut-off valve can open the new meter boxes with these steps:
- Locate a flathead screwdriver
- Insert the screwdriver into the designated slot
- Push back gently to release the locking mechanism
- Lift the lid carefully
Digital monitoring capabilities
The upgraded meters feature remote reading technology that transmits data electronically to the water department, improving billing accuracy and efficiency.
WATCH: How to track your daily water usage in Houston
The electronic reader mounted on top of the box should not be turned or tampered with, as it’s essential for automated meter readings.
“This is how we read it electronically,” Satler notes. “The sensor ensures your meter readings are accurate through our tower network.”
Addressing high water bills
For residents concerned about unexpected high water bills, the Public Works Department recommends:
- Checking meter readings regularly
- Monitoring for potential leaks
- Setting up an online account to track water usage patterns
The new digital monitoring system allows customers to:
- View real-time water consumption
- Identify unusual usage patterns
- Receive alerts about potential leaks
- Track water use when no one is home
Meter box safety guidelines
When accessing the meter box:
- Never force the lid open
- Avoid damaging the electronic components
- Keep the area clear of debris
- Report any damage to 311
The city’s water meter modernization project continues as part of Houston’s infrastructure improvement initiatives. Residents can find additional information about their water usage and billing through the city’s online portal.
