How should the water flow meter accuracy be checked, and how often?

• A. With a stopwatch and graduated cylinder; quarterly
• B. With a ruler; monthly
• C. With a thermometer; semi-annually
• D. With a caliper; annually

Answer: (A)

Accurate water flow metering comes from directly verifying the meter against a known standard by measuring actual flow over a fixed interval. To do this, use a stopwatch and a graduated cylinder: start the water flow, time a set period with the stopwatch, capture the water in the cylinder, read the volume, and calculate the actual flow rate (volume per time). Compare that actual rate to the meter’s indicated rate. If they align within the acceptable tolerance, the meter is considered accurate; if not, recalibration or replacement is needed. This check is performed quarterly to ensure the meter remains reliable over time. Using a ruler, thermometer, or caliper wouldn’t assess flow accuracy, since they measure length, temperature, or dimensions, not the rate of water flow.