Meter Reading

Your electric and water meters measure consumption and are the basis for what Paragould Light Water and Cable bills its customers. The meters are read on a monthly basis and the readings are recorded onto handheld electronic devices. The data is then downloaded from the handheld electronic devices onto PLWC main billing system. The downloaded data is then used to determine a customer monthly bill.

Paragould Light Water and Cable employs four full-time meter readers that are responsible for obtaining electric and water mete data throughout the entire City of Paragould.

Electric and water rates and consumption information can be found on this website on the Rates and Reliability page.

To monitor your own monthly consumption trends you may read your electric meter on a regular basis. A diagram showing how to read your electric meter is located below.

ELECTRIC METER

• The dials on your meter alternate in the direction of turning to reduce errors in readings. However, the dials are read with zero being the smaller number and 9 being the larger. The reading is considered 0 when the indicator is between 0 and 1. When the indicator is between 0 and 9, it is considered 9 (approaching 10).
   
• Read the dials on your meter from right to left. The far right dial registers the smallest number.
   
• When the indicator is between two numbers, use the smaller one. If in doubt, check the dial to the right, if the indicator is approaching 0, use the smaller number. If it has just passed 0, use the larger number.
   
• To determine current usage, deduct the previous reading from the current.
   
• To determine electricity charges, use our bill calculator.
   
• If you have a digital meter, you read it the same way you read a car odometer, from left to right.

WATER METER

For safety reasons, the water meter is not accessible for customer reading. However, monitoring consumption is possible by comparing consumption on your monthly utility bill. Water consumption averages 100 gallons per day, per person. If we find a problem with your consumption, we will contact you, but if you think there is a problem please contact us.

The valve to turn off your water is generally located in one of these places:
* One to two feet behind the meter, in the direction of the house.
* At the point where water pipes go up into a raised home.

If you are unsure of your water meter location, please call PLWC and we will be happy to identify or mark it for you.

WASTEWATER

Since there are no wastewater meters, your water consumption is used to calculate your wastewater bill.