Industry standards are established by the American Water Works Association. These standards assure the homeowner that the water will be accurately and fairly measured. Johnson Utilities uses positive displacement type meters which provide the most advanced technology available for water flow measurement in residential and light commercial applications. Our meters are manufactured to rigid design specifications to ensure consistent high product quality.

Standards are so exact that pistons and measuring chambers manufactured years apart can be exchanged with no resulting difference in measurement accuracy. The meters and their components undergo a variety of tests throughout the manufacturing process. The manufacturer maintains an extensive range of testing facilities and laboratories. Testing and quality assurance encompasses a number of on-site facilities. At these sites our supplier conducts continuing tests and assurances of their materials, chemicals and metallurgy, as well as high accuracy calibration and endurance tests.

Scientific evaluation is also done using equipment such as an electron-beam microscope, which is capable of 3,000x magnification; a Weatherometer, which is able to simulate any environment from desert to rain forest, and other specialized instruments. Meters are manufactured on modern equipment using a Statistical Process Control system to ensure all components are made to rigid design dimensions. This program requires critical part dimensions to be recorded and monitored to confirm that all the machine operations are producing good parts and that no negative trends are developing.

The manufacturer uses only top grade materials to ensure the best product quality. All materials are thoroughly tested to adhere to engineering specifications. For example, the piston and chamber materials are made of a proprietary blend of synthetic resins, specifically formulated to reduce friction and resist wear. Additionally, only high quality sand cast meter bodies are utilized. Using 81% copper content sand cast bodies helps minimize head loss when the meter is placed in service. These main cases are all machined and go through a vibratory deburring to further perfect the casing.

Other features include a tamper resistant elliptical head design, hermetically sealed registers and an oscillating piston design to minimize friction in the piston chamber.

The comprehensive training of a skilled work force, combined with the extensive use of automated work cells and robotics, allows the manufacturer to maintain high quality to meet customer demand.

Continuous training, testing and scientific evaluations guarantee the most reliable and accurate water measurements available to the industry. Our supplier has been a leader in the industry for over 125 years. The manufacturer has properly and accurately calibrated every meter installed by Johnson Utilities. We are proud to use only premium meters and equipment.

A new water meter is installed in the water service line of a home to accurately measure the water consumed. The manufacturer guarantees the accuracy of the meter when the utility company purchases it. Our meters meet and usually exceed exacting standards set by the A.W.W.A.

Johnson Utilities uses only positive displacement meters. It is the meter standard for residences. The positive displacement meters contain a predetermined chamber with a fitted disc or piston. Each time the chamber fills and empties, a predetermined amount of water is displaced as the disc or piston makes one rotation. The action of the piston is transferred to the meter by the use of gears or magnetic drivers.

Once precisely calibrated by the manufacturer, the meter will continue to register accurately as long as the piston makes the correct number of cycles for each gallon passed through the meter. Under ordinary working conditions, for example, potential suspended matter could cause a bind between the measuring element and its chamber causing it to slow down, which result in under-registration of the meter. Exposure to materials in suspension, excessive wear, temperature extremes or corrosion could cause the meter to under-register; however in no case will the meter be caused to over-register.

A properly installed residential water meter cannot over-register. Water meters fail by slowing down and eventually stopping. In our meters, the motion of the element (the piston) is transmitted by a system of gearing to the register, which records the flow of convenient units of measurements such as gallons. The register reading is thus dependent on the number of operations of the piston. The reading is a true measure of usage when the meter is accurately calibrated. This calibration takes place at the manufacturer’s plant.

Situations do arise in which the homeowner questions the accuracy of the water meter. We explain how meters are manufactured, how they operate and how they are read. We make every effort to inform our customers about a subject few are familiar with.

The most common time for questioning accuracy is when a new meter is installed to replace an old, worn-out meter. The higher accuracy level often results in a higher reading for the user. The possibility of old or worn-out meters has not been in question for Johnson Utilities. The time interval for replacement meters is based on local conditions and the amount of consumption. Normally this is a 10 to 15 year period.

We are proud of our company and remain committed to providing high
quality service. We look forward to growing with the community.