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Service and Information
4200 Leeland / Houston, TX 77023
Phone: 713.371.1400
 Many people wonder if they can save money by installing a lawn or “outdoor use” meter to measure water used by their sprinkler system. When considering whether to establish an outdoor use water account, keep the following in mind:
- Outdoor use meters have a separate connection to the water main., so home and sprinkler use are measured separately.
- An outdoor use account is charged for water only, not for sewer. Customers will receive a separate bill for this meter.
- Plumbing fixtures supplied by an outdoor use meter may not be located within roofed structures or have connections to any sewer system.
- A City of Houston-approved plumber must install the lawn meter for you. You may call the Taps & Meters Section at 832-395-4400, for a list of approved plumbers and required city fees to install a lawn meter.
Because the amount of water used by customers varies, and rates are different for various classes of service, you may or may not be able to justify the expense of an extra meter. To decide if a lawn meter is right for you, you should first estimate how much water you use outdoors.
One way to do this is to compare your winter and summer average consumptions, shown on the front of your bill. Unless your regular indoor water usage varies greatly by season, most of the increased water usage during summer months may be attributed to lawn watering. Use the current rate tables to determine the charges for each account. Then compare the totals for both accounts to the amount you are billed for summer usage on your regular account.
Rates for all classes may be found here to aid in your calculations. Remember, the minimum charge applies from zero usage to the base amount shown for each meter size. Both the minimum charge and base use increase with the size of the meter installed. Consumption over the base amount is billed at the rate for each class. Also, remember that there is a minimum monthly charge for a lawn meter, even if you do not use any water.
Residential rates have several tiers, and for all classes, the minimum charges and base use for water and sewer charges may differ. Compare the installation costs against your possible savings during the summer months. You may find that you do not always save money by installing a separate meter, depending on the amount of usage.
Examples for each class may be found here. Remember that these are just examples. You must look at your own actual usage to evaluate if you may be able to save money with a lawn meter.
Note: To reduce this cost you can close the account during winter months and reopen the account for the summer for a $5.00 reconnection fee. This will only avoid the minimum charges if there is no consumption. If usage is observed while your outdoor account is closed, the account will be re-opened by the city and you will still be held responsible for any water passing through the meter, plus minimum charges.
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