What effect does a worn meter have on water usage reading?

A worn meter typically leads to an under-registration of water usage. This means that the meter will not accurately capture the total volume of water flowing through it, resulting in lower readings than what is actually consumed. Factors such as wear on the internal components, sediment buildup, or inaccuracies due to mechanical fatigue can impede the meter's ability to function properly. Therefore, water system operators must be aware of the condition of their meters, as accurate readings are essential for billing, resource management, and leak detection.

Understanding the implications of meter wear is crucial to maintaining the integrity of water usage data, as under-registration can result in financial losses for water utilities due to unclaimed revenues and can create challenges in water conservation efforts.