Troubleshoot Water in My Meter Box

If you open your meter box lid and you see standing water don't be alarmed. It is not unusual to see standing water inside a meter box. The cause for water inside a meter box can be due to several conditions.

Rain

The most common cause of water appearing inside the meter box is rain. During the rainy season in Carmichael, water runoff from rain can often enter the meter box. The standing water will normally drain out or seep into the soil after a rainstorm.

Over Irrigating

Another cause for standing water inside a meter box is over-irrigation. This is most common during the summer months when customers are more actively running sprinkler systems. A simple adjustment of your irrigation timer may eliminate the standing water.

Leaks

In some cases, water inside the meter box may indicate that there is a leak near the meter. Check the meter to see if the low flow indicator is spinning. If the meter is spinning it may point to a leak on the private side of the water service. If the meter is not spinning but water continues to rise inside the box there may be a leak on the District side of the meter. If you need assistance in determining the source of the water leak please contact our office at 916-483-2452.