A final water reading **must be done prior to the sale of a home**. The seller’s side will schedule the final water reading ~2 weeks prior to the closing date. Every town is different, so it is important to check your town’s website or contact your local DPW to see how you can request a final water reading.
A lot of questions that I receive are “where is my water meter located or what is that box thing on the outside of my house?“
– You can usually find the water meter wherever your water service enters your home. It could be found outside, in the basement or in a utility room. If you live in an area that sees cold winters, like here in New England, then the water meter should *always* be located inside the home, where there is heat, and it will never be located outside. The water meter is usually located near the main water shut off valve. The Main Water Shut Off Valve shuts off ALL water access from the main source that enters your home. It’s very important to learn where it is, in case of a water pipe emergency.
– That “box thing” on the outside of some homes is called a Smart Point, which is a radio frequency communication system. The Smart Point system communicates with a handheld device that the DPW tech has on them, so that they do not have to physically enter your home to obtain the water reading.
#publicworkdepartment#realestate#homesafety#homeownership#homeownershiptips#watermeter