Mama Ten Bears
Veteran Member
Our water supplier just installed a new meter. I asked if it was a smart meter. He said no, it's just as dumb as the old one. I thought he was lying. Now I know he was lying. With the drought conditions here, they are fining people who do not follow the mandated restrictions. New way to determine those to fine.
Uncle Hezekiah
Membership Revoked
Just wait until they come to install a meter on your private well. It's a comin'. That ought to make some sparks fly. 
rhughe13
Heart of Dixie
I'm sure at some point, they can pinpoint when you take a shower or flush the toilet. Then fine you based on how much time you spend in the shower or how much water you use to flush, or maybe call and tell you to turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth.
You'll use so much water per minute showering and be forced to install a water saver shower head. Their computer will look something like this.
07:00 - 07:01 am - 5 gal water consumption
07:02 - 07:05 am - 2 gal water consumption
07:05 - 07:15 am - 30 gal water consumption
05:35 - 05:36 pm - 5 gal water consumption
They'll now when you sit on the toilet, brush your teeth, take a shower, wash clothes, turn on dishwasher, wash your car, water your lawn or garden.
You'll use so much water per minute showering and be forced to install a water saver shower head. Their computer will look something like this.
07:00 - 07:01 am - 5 gal water consumption
07:02 - 07:05 am - 2 gal water consumption
07:05 - 07:15 am - 30 gal water consumption
05:35 - 05:36 pm - 5 gal water consumption
They'll now when you sit on the toilet, brush your teeth, take a shower, wash clothes, turn on dishwasher, wash your car, water your lawn or garden.
It's already being done. I own property in Tehachapi California & any new wells have to have a meter & you pay for the water used. At some point all of the existing wells will be metered. There is an aquifer under the valley that Tehachapi is in. Years ago the aquifer started running very low and the water district purchased water to recharge it. The courts ruled that since they paid for the water, and they own the water, anyone tapping into that aquifer needs to pay them for it. Really, that makes sense. It would not be fair for people to just drill into it and take the water.
However, it is also a bitter pill to swallow when you have to plunk down $30,000 for a well and then pay the water district for the meter & the water. I guess when you live in a city the equipment to deliver water to you is provided by the utility - at a cost. You pay higher water rates & higher taxes to maintain the utilities.
I was upset at first but now I'm thankful every day that I can turn on the tap & get clean water & I can flip a switch & have light. Not everyone in this world is so lucky!
Countrybumpkin
Veteran Member
Our nearby town went to the wireless system a few years ago, however there still needs to be a person driving slowly down the road, or walking with a scanner, to 'read' the meters. God, don't even mention meters on wells!
Countrybumpkin
Veteran Member
How does one go about refilling an underground aquifer? Though only mother nature could do that, over a good many years...
They had it delivered via a main water canal. It's diverted into a holding pond where it percolates down into the aquifer. It's pretty common in our area. We have huge canals going up & down the whole state. Because most of our most populated areas used to be desert the water has to be shipped in. There is a really interesting book about the history of the water wars in the West. It's called "Cadillac Desert" by Marc Reisner. Very good read!