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Measured Water Use and Comparison

Calculate water use from meter readings or measured fixture activity, compare daily averages and estimate variable charges using your actual rate.

Use this result well

Inputs that matter
Water volume unit, Start meter reading, End meter reading, Meter reading interval (days), and 24 more
Output to expect
Observed daily water use, Modeled daily water use, Change in daily water use
  • Check the units and required inputs before comparing results.
  • Keep the assumptions with a copied result so you can reproduce the calculation later.
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Reference & details

How it works

Subtract comparable meter readings

Use the same meter and already-scaled unit over a known whole-day interval. Meter replacement, rollover and estimated bills need separate reconciliation.

Daily liters = (end reading − start reading) × liters per selected unit ÷ days

Sum measured fixture activity

Use measured flow or cycle volumes and whole-household daily averages. Enter zero for unused categories; changing the unit label does not convert existing input numbers.

Daily volume = flow × operating time + cycle volume × cycles + other recorded volume

Compare daily averages

Compare consistent site and meter coverage, normalizing each volume by its whole-day interval. A zero baseline leaves relative percentage undefined.

Daily change = later volume ÷ later days − baseline volume ÷ baseline days

Updated: September 2026

Example Scenarios

Readings from 120 to 132 m³ over 30 days give 12,000 liters, 400 liters per day and 100 liters per person for four people. At $2 per m³ the variable charge is $24.

The explicit fixture example totals 220 liters per day from the listed flow, cycle and activity inputs. No extra allowance is added.

12 m³ over 30 days and 10 m³ over 25 days both average 400 liters per day; their daily change is zero.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Comparing total volume without its interval

Use daily averages with consistent site and meter coverage.

Entering a whole bill as a unit price

Use the applicable variable price per selected unit and keep other charges separate.

FAQ

No. Inputs already cover the entire household or site. People only divides the reported per-person daily average.

It is one hundred cubic feet. Enter already-scaled readings in that unit; do not apply another hundred-times multiplier. One CCF is 2,831.6846592 liters.

No. The simple cost uses volume multiplied by your variable rate. Fixed fees, sewer charges, tiers, taxes and billing adjustments need separate treatment.

Not by itself. Temperature and heating energy are separate from the measured or modeled water volume.

About Measured Water Use and Comparison

Choose metered use, a measured fixture estimate or comparison of observed periods. Enter whole-household or site totals with explicit units and days. No fixture flow, personal allowance or water tariff is assumed. Variable costs use USD and exclude fixed, sewer and tiered charges.