First things first: you need to call your water utility. Yes, the people who make rain sound poetic on their website.
Ask if your area even allows new meters. Some older neighborhoods are stuck in the 1800s, and they won’t let you switch. If they say no, just sigh dramatically and hang up.
If they say yes—huzzah! Ask about fees, permits, and whether they install it or you do. Pro tip: They usually prefer to do it themselves. They have special tools and a deep distrust of your weekend plumbing skills.
The Application Dance
You’ll fill out a form. Probably online, because it’s the 2020s. Expect to provide your address, proof of ownership, and maybe your firstborn’s name (kidding, but have it ready).
They’ll want to know your current pipe size and the location of your shut-off valve. I don’t know where mine is either. Everybody has that moment of panic. Go look now. I’ll wait.
Found it? Great. If not, call a plumber for the location. They can point at it with a smug look for about fifty bucks.
