Reading Your Water Meter
Your water meter measures the amount of water passing through our service lines onto your property; it is typically
located at the front yard property line.  

The dial hand on the meter rotates clockwise; each time it
makes a complete rotation, the register will increase by one, indicating 1 Ccf (748 gallons) of water has been used.  You
can track your water usage by subtracting the reading at the beginning of the month from the reading at the end of the month.

Reasons for a high water bill
If you receive an unusually high water bill, there are a few
things you should to ask yourself:

• Have you had any guests staying at your home?
• Do you ever have to jiggle the toilet handle to
  make the water stop running?
• Do you have any leaky faucets or pipes?
• Have you been watering the lawn?

Do you hear water running, but can't locate the source?
Some Charleston Water System meters are equipped with
a leak indicator, which has a small, diamond-shaped dial
located on the face of the meter. To check for leaks, turn
everything off in the house that uses water. If the leak
indicator is moving:

• Inspect toilets and bathroom fixtures
• Check for any drips
• Check shut-off valves under all sinks for leaks
• Check under the house for moisture
• Check outside spigots for drips
• Check washer fittings and hoses

Please contact our Customer Service Department
at (843) 727-6800 for more information.

Leaking Toilets
Leak detector tablets to check for a toilet leak are available free
of charge at any of our branch locations. The following are some common causes and repair options for a leaky toilet:

• The tank flapper or ball valve should fit securely into
  the drain opening at the bottom of the tank. The drain should be free of debris; replace the valve if it is in
  poor condition.
• Make sure the toilet's handle is not sticking in the
  flush position.
• The water level in the tank should be at least 1⁄2” below the top of the overflow pipe. Adjust water level by turning the adjustment screw or gently bending the float arm.
• Overflow pipe should be free of corrosion. Repair or replace if it leaks.