AWWA DSS71291

This paper presents a small portion of the results from an active Water Research Foundation study in which the accuracy of commercially available 5/8 x 3/4-inch water meters was determined over a wider range of flow rates than current standards specify. The research component summarized in this paper investigated one hundred and fifty new meters. Although a larger sample of each manufacturer's offering would be desirable, six identical meters were used as the sample size for any given meter resulting in 25 different meter designs being tested. The results indicated that most meters perform acceptably at flow rates up to 30 percent greater than the published maximum AWWA standard flow rate. On the other hand, the results were varied when the meters were tested for accuracy at flow rates that were well below the minimum AWWA standard flow; it was determined that a considerable number of new meters did not meet the minimum standard for accuracy at the minimum, intermediate and maximum AWWA standard accuracy test flow rates. This paper summarizes the completed testing and presents the accuracy results of the new 5/8 x 3/4-inch meters tested as part of an active Water Research Foundation study. Includes 12 references, tables, figures.