San Diego's Public Utilities Department is now hanging fliers from residents' doors after checking their water meters. The move comes after reports that hundreds of customers were overcharged thousands of dollars for water, one was charged as much as $11,000.
WATCH: How To Check Your Own Water Meter
The city is also encouraging customers to check their own water meters to ensure their bills are accurate. Steven Broyles, a field representative for the city of San Diego, explained how to do that.
1) Lift and remove the concrete cover.
"Just grab a little stick or something, and just open this lid right here," said Broyles, who reads about 500 water meters a day. "They could use their finger, but there might be spiders in there."
RELATED: Utilities Department Announces Over 300 Water Customers Were Overcharged
2) Open the cap on the water meter and look at the numbers.
"If you are looking at your meter, you would start from your lefthand side, and you would start with the 3, 4, 3, 6, and that would be your read," Broyles said.
3) The four numbers in white show your water use in hundred cubic feet. Ignore the black numbers on the right.
4) Compare the number on your water meter with your water bill under "Current Read."
5) If your meter was just checked, it should be the same.
If it's not, contact the city at 619-515-3500 or customercare@sandiego.gov.
