The Utility Field Service is responsible for reading electric and water meters for residential, multi-family and commercial accounts, within the City of Redding service area. To help better serve you, we are providing the following information about Meter Reading in your community.

IDENTIFYING UTILITY FIELD SERVICE EMPLOYEES
Utility Field Service employees usually wear shirts with a City of Redding logo on the left front of the shirt. In cold weather employees wear jackets with a City of Redding logo on the front left. These employees are also issued an identification card that has a photo of the employee on the front, if you are in doubt that the employee works for the City of Redding, ask that they present their ID card.

Vehicles provided to Utility Field Service employees are white and can be identified with an REU logo on the side, they can also be identified by a three digit number that begins with the number 1; these vehicle numbers can be found on both sides and at the front and rear of the vehicle.

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HOW TO READ YOUR ELECTRIC METER
By keeping track of electricity used, you can determine where the greatest opportunity for energy savings lies. Becoming aware of overall energy use involves keeping track of the readings on the electric meter.

By keeping track of this for a period of time, you can identify areas of high energy use; using the meter graphic, follow the steps below to determine your power usage.

1. Locate the electric meter.
2. Refer to the illustration above, noting that the first dial hand turns clockwise, the next dial turns counter clockwise and subsequent dials alternate clockwise and counter clockwise.
3. Look at the left dial and record the number that the hand (clockwise) has just passed (in the example, the number 7).
4. Look at the second dial and record the number that the hand (counter clockwise) has just passed (in the example, the number 3).
5. Repeat step 3 for the third dial (in the example, the number 2); repeat step 4 for the fourth dial (in the example, the number 5) and repeat step 3 for the fifth dial (in the example, the number 6).
6. Write down the numbers in order from left to right (in the example: 73256).
7. Repeat steps 2-6 at the same time the following day.
8. Subtract the reading of the following day from the prior day’s reading to determine the number of kilowatt-hours used in that time frame.

Once you have determined your energy usage multiply the number of kilowatt hours by the cost per kilowatt-hour. Click on rate* to find the current rate per kilowatt-hour.

Make a note of any high-energy consumption activity that occurred during that time frame (example: laundry or cooking, how much hot water usage, etc.).

Repeat these steps as often as you like in order to track your energy usage.
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HOW TO READ YOUR WATER METER
By keeping track of water used, you can determine where the greatest opportunity for water savings lies. Becoming aware of overall water use involves keeping track of the readings on the water meter.

By keeping track of this for a period of time, you can identify areas of high water use; using the meter graphic, follow the steps below to determine your water usage.

1. Locate the water meter (if you are having difficulty locating your meter click on How to Locate Your Water Meter.
2. Refer to the illustration, the reading is taken from the figures shown under the words CUBIC FEET.
3. Write down the numbers ignoring any numbers with a black background, (in the example: 817).
4. Repeat steps 2-6 at the same time the following day.
5. Subtract the reading of the following day from the prior day’s reading to determine the number of 100 cubic feet used in that time frame.

Once you have determined your water usage multiply the number of cubic feet by the cost per 100 cubic feet. Click on rate* to find the current rate per 100 cubic feet.

Make a note of any high-water consumption activity that occurred during that time frame (example: laundry, swimming pools, etc.).

Repeat these steps as often as you like in order to track your water usage.

If you turn off all the taps, look at the meter, and the leak dial is still turning, chances are you have a leak somewhere.
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How To Locate Your Water Meter
Your water meter is generally located near the curb in front of a building; for new subdivision it will be located between you and the house next to you. For older residential and business customers, the water meter is usually located in a direct line with the main outside faucet. All metes are typically housed in a concrete box usually marked “water”. Carefully remove the lid by using a tool such as a large screwdriver, (please do not use your fingers). Insert the tool into one of the holes and pry the lid off. Visually examine the area around the meter to make sure there are no harmful insects or other animals.
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METER ACCESSIBILITY
Meter Readers Provide A Valuable Service - - Please Help Them Work Safely.

Utility Field Service employees read your meter(s) each month. To obtain a schedule of the date your electric and/or water meter(s) is read please call Utility Customer Services at 530-339-7200 or toll free (866) 267-8845. In order to provide reliable service, it is sometimes necessary for our employees to visit your home on an unscheduled day.

Having actual meter readings means that Utility Customer Services does not have to estimate your usage; we need your help to keep our Utility Field Service employees safe as they go about their work. Locked gates and dogs are two of the most common difficulties encountered.

Dogs are unpredictable, and a dog that is gentle with friends and family has a natural instinct to ‘protect’ their home against a perceived ‘intruder’. It’s up to you, the utility customer, to take the responsibility to restrain your dog when the meter reader arrives.

If you have a locked gate, please be aware of the dates your meter(s) will be read so that you can unlock your gate long enough to give the meter reader access to your meter(s) so they can obtain an accurate meter reading.

Your meter(s) are read every month and are estimated only in the event of extreme conditions that render it impossible to read. Meter readers work hard to avoid mistakes, you can help the meter reader get an accurate reading by keeping your meter free of grass, dirt and other obstacles; by not letting trash or other household items impede access to the meter and by parking vehicles where they will not block the meter.

If you feel that your meter may have been misread, please call Utility Customer Services at (530) 339-7200 or toll free (866) 276-8845.
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REPORTING UTILITY THEFT
To report suspected power theft, please call Utility Customer Services at (530) 339-7200 or toll free (866) 267-8845; the appropriate party will then be notified for investigation.

Utilities may recover lost revenues from customers based on estimates of diverted utilities and any utility customer found to be responsible for, or knowingly benefiting from, illegal or unauthorized utility diversion activities will be charged a fine of up to $500 plus any associated fees; which may include estimated lost revenues, all City costs incurred in detection and appropriate fees or penalties authorized by City Council.

Pursuant to Redding Municipal Code subsection 14.08.370A.5 charges for water usage resulting from a hot tap on a fire hydrant will be levied at four times the rate of the amount diverted.

If the City of Redding is successful in criminal proceedings for energy or water diversion, the facts surrounding the case become public information; other utilities may then piggyback on the conviction to recover revenue lost due to theft by the same customer in their service area.
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