Why (not) a Meter Setter, Meter Pit, or Meter Box?

Why (not) a Meter Setter, Meter Pit, or Meter Box?

The majority of the fixtures that make water work for you and your community are located just a number of feet underground. Recognized as the service lateral, each part plays an integral role in providing a structure access to the public water supply (see diagrams above). However, certain parts – such as the water meter – have to be more accessible than others.

There are many alternatives to having the water meter inside of the structure, such as the meter setter, meter pit, or meter box. When it comes to choosing which meter protector route to take, factors such as the climate and personal preference of the water provider are considered. However, those unfamiliar with the meter setter, meter pit, and meter box may wonder why they are necessary to the service lateral installation.

• Convenience of having all installation components pre-assembled
• Factory pressure tested for leaks
• All can be ordered/specified using just one part number
• Includes valves allowing “drop in” meter installation
• Allows the ability to install the meter at desired height levels
• Can be space savers when compared to common inline installations
• Installation time savings with less field installed connections
• Provides rigidity to the piping in the meter setting
• Meter is protected from unauthorized access

Unlike any other part of the service lateral, the water meter must be reachable to the water provider in order to properly read and record water usage, as well as service the meter. Without the ability to do so, we would have no way of billing those responsible for their own water, which would lead to skyrocketed water usage and money down the drain. As such an important role, the water meter deserves to be protected and easily accessible.

By making meter installation both simple and easy, meter setters, meter pits, and meter boxes have proven themselves to be pertinent to the industry, just like the water meter itself. So instead of asking ‘why a meter setter, meter pit, or meter box?’, how about ‘why not a meter setter, meter pit, or meter box?’.