How to Read and Check Your Water Meter
Finding your meter, reading the dial, and using the leak indicator to catch problems early.
Your water meter measures how much water flows into your home. In the Knoxville area, most meters are located in a meter box near the curb or property line, though some are inside the home. The meter has a dial or digital display showing usage, and many meters have a leak indicator — a small dial or symbol that moves when water is flowing, even in tiny amounts. Learning to read your meter and check the leak indicator is one of the simplest ways to catch a hidden leak before it causes damage.
Why This Matters
A hidden leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water and cause structural damage before you ever see a wet spot. Your water meter is a free, built-in diagnostic tool. Checking it takes two minutes and can save you thousands of dollars in water bills and water damage repairs.
How It Generally Works in the Knoxville Area
Finding your meter: In the Knoxville area, most water meters are in a meter box at the curb or near the property line. The box is typically a round or rectangular lid at ground level. Some meters — especially in older homes — are inside the house in a basement, crawlspace, or utility area. Reading the meter: Most meters have a digital display or a series of dials showing water usage in gallons or cubic feet. The display may cycle between numbers; wait for it to settle. Using the leak indicator: Many meters have a small dial, triangle, or icon that spins or flashes when water is flowing — even at very low rates. This is the leak indicator. If all water is off inside the house and the leak indicator is still moving, water is flowing somewhere it should not be. Checking for a leak: Turn off all water inside and outside the house — including irrigation, ice makers, and water-using appliances. Wait 10–15 minutes. Check the meter. If the leak indicator is moving or the numbers have changed, you may have a leak.
What the Homeowner Can Check
- That all fixtures, appliances, and irrigation systems are turned off before checking the meter
- Whether the leak indicator is moving when all water is off
- Whether the meter reading changes over a 15-minute period with all water off
- Whether the meter box is flooded or visibly damaged (which may indicate a meter-side issue)
Who to Contact
A Licensed Plumber
If the leak indicator is moving with all water off, you may have a leak on the homeowner side. A plumber can locate and repair it.
Learn moreKUB (Knoxville Utilities Board)
If the meter itself appears damaged, is flooded, or is unreadable, contact KUB.
Visit siteWhat Not to Do
- Do not force open a meter box that is stuck or frozen — contact the utility
- Do not attempt to repair, adjust, or bypass the meter
- Do not assume the meter is wrong — verify by checking with all water off first
Still not sure who is responsible or what to do next?
Ask our AI Plumber — describe the problem and get guidance on whether it is likely on your side or the utility side.
Ask the AI PlumberVerify current requirements directly with the applicable authority.
Requirements may differ depending on whether the property is inside the City of Knoxville, elsewhere in Knox County, or served by another utility. Homeowners should verify current requirements with the applicable permitting authority before beginning work.
Common Questions
Where is my water meter?
In the Knoxville area, most meters are in a meter box at the curb or near the property line. Some — especially in older homes — are inside the house in a basement, crawlspace, or utility area. If you cannot find it, contact KUB.
What does the leak indicator look like?
It varies by meter model, but it is typically a small dial, triangle, or icon that rotates or flashes when water is flowing — even at very low rates. Some digital meters show a flashing faucet icon or a flow rate number.
What if the leak indicator is moving but I don't see any water?
You may have a hidden leak — a slab leak, an underground service line leak, or a leak behind a wall. Contact a plumber to locate it before it causes structural damage.
If the problem involves your home's plumbing, The Classic Plumber can help.
We diagnose before we recommend — and we tell you when the issue is on the utility's side.