Water Conservation FAQs

Your meter size information can be found on your water bill.

• Our customers with 5/8 inch and 3/4 inch meters average approximately 5,000-7,000 gallons per month

• Our customers with 1 inch meters average approximately 16,000 gallons per month

Water use varies significantly and depends on many factors, such as the number of family members, water use practices, pools, and landscaping.

 Most meters are located underground in boxes found near the curb along the street. Open the box carefully (watch for insects and/or animals) and inside you will find the water meter.

The meter display may be found under the small, hinged cover. The meters used in Oro Valley measure water in gallons.

Your water meter is much like your car’s odometer, showing the cumulative total of water that has run through your meter. The last 2 digits on the far right are decimal numbers and register 10ths and 100ths of a gallon. For example, the meter pictured reads 187,191.33 gallons. For billing purposes, this would be rounded down to 187,000 recorded as 187 in the “Present Reading” box on your bill. On the digital meters there is a “+” symbol present when water is flowing through the meter. You may also notice the numbers changing to the right of the decimal place. This means a low flow is occurring.  This can also be used as a leak indicator if no water is being used in the home. 

Click here for a video on how to read your water meter.

At this time the Oro Valley Water Utility does not collect fees from water utility customers to fund a water harvesting rebate program.  We are aware that some water districts and municipal water providers charge their customers a water conservation fee or include subsidy costs in their water rates to fund subsidies to customers who choose to install water harvesting or greywater technologies.

Oro Valley Water Utility has implemented programs that assist all customers with water conservation.  The Oro Valley Water Utility employs a full-time Water Conservation Specialist and utilizes smart meter technology. Together, trained staff using the latest technology has saved our water customers thousands of dollars with early leak detection notification and individual water audits.

Please visit our conservation page for more information on how the Oro Valley Water Utility can assist you with water conservation

▪ Choose water and energy efficient appliances
▪ Install low flow fixtures – faucets and showerheads (2.5 gpm or less)
▪ Fix leaks, the silent but significant water wasters
▪ Manage your water use and water account at watercs.orovalleyaz.gov/sign-up
▪ Save water and money on your Pima County sewer bill.  Keep your overall water use low in December, January, and February.
▪ Adjust your irrigation settings.  Plants don’t require as much water during winter.
▪ Go low outdoors
     Choose native or low water use plants and limit water features.  Beautiful outdoor spaces can be created with visual interest and a variety of     
     plant choices that work well in our area.  

A water audit allows us to evaluate water use both inside and outside your home or property and make water saving recommendations.  For more information, please contact Customer Service at (520) 229-5000 to schedule a one-time free water audit.   

How much water your pool uses depends on size, design, weather, activity, and condition of the pool and equipment.  A general estimation is that a 14,000 gallon sized pool uses about 2,000 gallons per month and can use more in the summer and less in the winter.  You basically drain your pool every year from water lost to evaporation and back-flushing.

Looking to drain your pool? Please view the Draining Your Swimming Pools & Spas Guidelines. For questions or further information, please contact the Oro Valley Stormwater Utility at 520-229-4850.

Oro Valley Stormwater Utility handles all questions regarding pool discharge. You can reach them at 229-4850. https://www.orovalleyaz.gov/files/assets/public/documents/public-works/stormwater-utility/manuals-guides-reports/guidelines-for-swimming-pool-or-spa-drainage.pdf

Please click here to learn more about removing your pool.

• Sign up on the customer portal for free so you can track your water usage and access your account.
• Periodically check for leaks in your home and irrigation system.
• Know where your house shut-off is located, so you can shut the water off to your home and irrigation, in the event of an emergency.