Our use of cookies How to take and submit a water meter reading for your business
Most commercial properties in Britain are fitted with a water meter, as are homes in regions where water scarcity is a concern. These meters measure the volume of water consumed, with business water rates applied per cubic metre used.
Submitting accurate business water meter readings is essential for avoiding estimated bills and keeping water costs under control.
This guide explains how to take a water meter reading, how to submit it to a business water supplier, and what to do when readings don’t look right.
How to take a water meter reading
Taking a business water meter reading is straightforward and only takes a minute or so once the meter has been located.
Step 1: Locate the meter
Business water meters are usually housed in a covered chamber on the pavement or driveway just outside the property. Larger commercial sites may have meters fitted internally or in a dedicated plant room.
Step 2: Read the numbers from left to right
The meter displays a row of digits showing the total volume of water passed through it since installation. The figures should be read left to right, exactly as they appear.
Step 3: Focus on the whole cubic metres
Only the digits showing whole cubic metres are needed for a commercial water meter reading. These are usually shown in black on analogue meters or as the main figures on a digital display.
Step 4: Ignore the red digits and decimals
The red numbers, or any digits shown after a decimal point, measure fractions of a cubic metre. Business water suppliers do not require these for billing.
What a water meter reading means
A water meter shows a cumulative total, not daily or monthly consumption. The figure recorded is the total volume of water that has passed through the meter since it was installed.
Suppliers calculate usage by comparing the latest reading with the previous one.
How to read different types of water meters
Commercial water meters come in two main formats: analogue and digital. The principle is the same for both, but the display style differs.
The section below provides example images of both situations:
Analogue water meter reading
Most commercial water meters are analogue, with a row of rotating dials showing the volume of water consumed.
The black digits show whole cubic metres. The red digits, which sit after the decimal point, show tenths and hundredths of a cubic metre and can be ignored.
In the example above, the reading would be recorded as 00216.
Digital water meter reading
Recent water meter installations tend to have digital meters with an electronic display.
Credit – Waterscan
On a digital meter, the cubic metre figure is shown clearly as the main reading, with smaller digits for fractions of a cubic metre displayed separately.
In the example above, the reading would be recorded as 012071.
What information do you need before submitting a water meter reading?
Having the right details to hand keeps a water meter reading submission quick and avoids follow-up queries from the supplier.
The table below sets out what to gather before contacting a business water supplier with a meter reading.
| Information | Why is it needed? |
|---|---|
| Meter reading | Used by the supplier to calculate consumption since the previous reading and produce an accurate bill |
| Date of reading | Tells the supplier which billing period the reading applies to and sets the cut-off point for the calculation |
| Account number | Matches the reading to the correct business on the supplier's system |
| SPID number (business-only) | Identifies the specific site in the wholesale water market, particularly important for businesses with more than one location |
| Photograph of the meter | Optional, but useful evidence if a reading is later queried or appears unusually high |
A few practical points worth keeping in mind:
- Account numbers are printed on every bill and on most supplier correspondence.
- Business water bills show the SPID for the site, making a recent bill the easiest place to find it.
- For sites with multiple meters, labelling each meter with its serial number speeds up future readings.
How to submit a water meter reading
Most business water suppliers accept commercial meter readings through several channels, and the right method usually depends on the supplier and the size of the account. The most common options are:
Online account
Most suppliers offer an online account area where business customers can log in to view bills, manage account details, and submit a water meter reading. This is generally the quickest route and creates a record of the submission against the account.
Website form
Some suppliers provide a standalone meter reading form on their website that does not require a login. The customer enters the SPID or account number along with the reading and the date.
Phone
Most business water suppliers operate a customer service line that accepts meter readings over the phone. This option suits sites without easy internet access or where the reader prefers to confirm the figures with an agent.
A small number of suppliers accept meter readings by email, often as part of a broader account query. A photograph of the meter dial sent alongside the figures gives the supplier a clear record to work from.
What happens after a water meter reading is submitted
After a reading has been submitted, the supplier compares it against the previous reading to calculate consumption and produce an accurate bill. Submitting readings between scheduled visits helps avoid estimated charges and keeps business water bills in line with actual use.
There is no formal requirement for a business to submit its water meter readings, as suppliers arrange visits roughly every six months.
Between these visits, bills are estimated based on previous consumption patterns, which can lead to over or undercharging if usage has changed. Sites with a smart water meter do not need to submit readings manually, as consumption data is sent to the supplier automatically.
Common water meter reading issues
Here are the three most common issues with water meter readings and our advice on overcoming them.
Condensation on the meter display
The meter dial may be obscured by condensation, making it difficult to read.
We recommend using a torch or phone light to improve visibility or leaving the meter cover open on a sunny day to allow the condensation to clear.
Water in the meter chamber
Outdoor meters located in pits can accumulate rainwater, making readings difficult.
We recommend using a sponge or a mug to manually remove the excess water.
If the water appears to be leaking directly from the meter itself, we recommend contacting your supplier’s customer service team to report the problem.
Inaccurate reading
Submitting inaccurate meter readings to your supplier can result in incorrect and potentially costly bills, so it is crucial to ensure your submission is accurate.
We recommend taking a photo of the meter dial when recording a reading. This allows you to double-check before submitting.
How to submit a water meter reading – FAQs
Below, we answer your most frequently asked questions about submitting a water meter reading.
Why is my water meter reading so high?
A higher than expected reading usually points to one of two causes:
- A business water leak on the property, where the meter is recording wasted water alongside genuine consumption.
- A faulty meter that is no longer measuring accurately, which can be checked through a business water audit.
A sudden spike without an obvious operational change is worth investigating quickly, as ongoing leaks can drive significant cost increases over a billing cycle.
Reviewing ways to reduce water consumption is worth doing once a leak has been ruled out.
Do I need to take a water meter reading when switching suppliers?
A reading taken on the day of the switch is recommended. The outgoing supplier uses the figure to produce a final bill and the incoming supplier uses it as the opening reading on the new account, which keeps both accounts accurate when businesses switch business water suppliers.
How often should businesses submit water meter readings
There is no fixed schedule, but submitting a reading every one to three months is a sensible middle ground for most businesses.
More frequent readings keep bills closer to actual usage, while sites with a smart water meter do not need to submit at all as data is sent to the supplier automatically.
What do I do if I cannot access my water meter to get a reading?
When a meter is locked, buried, or otherwise unreachable, the supplier should be contacted directly.
Most business water suppliers can arrange a site visit, send a meter reader, or provide guidance on safe access. Persistent access problems may also be a sign that the meter needs relocating.
What happens if I submit an incorrect water meter reading?
An incorrect reading typically results in an inaccurate bill, either too high or too low. Once the next accurate reading is received, the supplier reconciles the account and adjusts the next bill accordingly. Spotting an error early and contacting the supplier shortens the period of inaccurate billing.
Can I submit a water meter reading without an account number?
In most cases, the supplier needs either an account number or a SPID to match the reading to the right site. Without one, the submission cannot be processed reliably. A recent business water bill is the quickest place to find both numbers.
Why is my submitted reading different from my bill estimate?
Estimated bills are based on previous consumption patterns, so a submitted reading will rarely match the estimate exactly. The supplier reconciles the difference on the next bill, charging for any additional consumption or crediting the account where the estimate was too high.
What should I do if my water meter reading hasn’t changed?
A reading that is identical to the previous one suggests either no water has been used during the period or the meter has stopped recording.
For sites with active operations, the second cause is more likely and should be reported to the supplier so the meter can be tested or replaced.
Can I submit readings for multiple business locations at once?
Suppliers that handle multi-site accounts usually allow several readings to be submitted in one go, either through an online account or as a structured email.
Each reading needs its own SPID or meter identifier so the supplier can match the figures to the correct site.
What happens if I don’t submit a water meter reading on time?
There is no penalty for missing a reading, but the supplier will continue to issue estimated bills based on previous usage.
Over time, this can build up a noticeable over or undercharge that is corrected when the next actual reading is received, which is why regular submissions are worth the effort.
Back to blog- Share:
