As a water meter ages and becomes worn, it tends to do what?

As a water meter ages and experiences wear, it typically tends to under register the amount of water that passes through it. This occurs because the internal mechanisms of the meter can become less effective over time due to factors such as mechanical wear, sediment buildup, or corrosion. As a result, the meter may not accurately capture the full volume of water, leading to it recording lower usage than what is actually occurring.

Under registration can significantly impact billing and water resource management since customers may be charged less for their actual water consumption. Understanding this tendency is crucial for water operators, as they must monitor and maintain meters to ensure their accuracy, replace old meters periodically, and ensure that they maintain proper functioning to reflect true water usage accurately.