Aerator: A device screwed onto the end of a faucet spout that mixes air into flowing water to reduce water flow

 

Autofill (Automatic Pool Water Leveler): This device automatically allows water to flow into a pool to maintain a desired pool water level

 

Backflow Prevention Device: A device that prevents contaminants from entering the drinking water supply

 

Berm: A raised barrier such as mounded dirt used to contain irrigation water

 

Continuous Leak: An ongoing leak that occurs whether or not a water-using device is in operation

 

Emitter: A device on the end of drip irrigation tubing that regulates flow

 

Flood Irrigation: A flow of water that fills a basin surrounded by berms for landscape irrigation

 

Home vs. House: "Home" refers to the premises (both the property and the house); "house" refers to the structure itself

 

Hose Bibb: Exterior hose connection or spigot

 

House (Main) Water Shut-off Valve: This valve stops the flow of water from the service line to the house

 

Intermittent Leak: A non-continuous leak that starts and stops, this type of leak often coincides with the operation of a water-using device

 

Irrigation Controller/Timer: Controls the frequency and duration of irrigation watering cycles by automatically activating the control valves

 

Irrigation Station (Valve, Zone): Stations (programmed in the irrigation controller) switch on the valves that release the water to the irrigation zones in your yard or garden. The terms: station, valve and zone are often used interchangeably even though they have different meanings.

 

Irrigation System: Often consists of a backflow prevention device, underground pipes, valves and emitters, bubblers and/or sprinkler heads and an irrigation controller

 

Low-flow Indicator/Leak Detector: Typically looks like a small triangle, star or gear on the face of the water meter and rotates when water flows through the water meter

Overflow Tube: A tube in the toilet tank that allows water to flow into the toilet bowl

 

Riser: A vertical extension pipe used to raise the meter

 

Service Line: An underground pipe that carries water from the water meter to your home

 

Shut-off Valves: There are two main types of shut-off valves found in the home: (See Isolation Method.)

   A gate valve opens by turning the handle left (counter clockwise) to start water flow and closes by turning it right (clockwise) to stop water    flow.

   A ball valve opens by turning the handle parallel to the water line to start water flow and closes by turning it perpendicular to the water        line to stop water flow.

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Toilet Flapper: A device in a toilet tank that controls the release of water from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl

 

Water-using Device: A device such as an appliance (dishwasher, clothes washer, etc.), evaporative cooler, water feature, koi pond or automatic pet watering trough that utilizes water

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