Why should a water meter be placed as close to the property line as possible?

• A. To prevent an illegal connection
• B. To minimize property damage
• C. To ensure faster service installation
• D. To reduce meter reading times

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the meter is the boundary where water use is measured and controlled. Placing it as close to the property line as practical puts the meter at the point where the utility’s control and monitoring are most effective, making it harder for someone to create an unmetered connection or bypass the meter. If the meter sits deeper inside the property, a clever attempt to bypass the meter could be harder for the utility to detect, and the meter could become less accessible for reading and inspection. So, this placement helps ensure all water entering the property is metered and accounted for, reducing opportunities for illicit connections.