Meter Shop

Meter Services

The Meter Services Department is comprised of two divisions: meter maintenance and fire hydrant meters.

Address: 4400 Henninger Ct., Chantilly, VA 20151
Phone: 703.289.6402
Office hours: Monday -Friday 6:30am - 3:00pm, excluding holidays

Meter Maintenance

Residential, commercial, and apartment main meters are maintained by Fairfax Water. Sub-meters obtained through Fairfax Water for pools, irrigation, and cooling towers are also maintained by Fairfax Water. Fairfax Water does not maintain privately purchased meters.

Most water meters are located outside of a customer’s home; however, some meters within Fairfax Water’s service area are located inside the home and require a meter service technician to gain access inside to repair or replace the meter. The customer may be notified in-person by a Fairfax Water meter service technician and/or by mail, advising meter maintenance is required.

There may be an interruption in service after four unsuccessful attempts to schedule the required maintenance of the meter.

Appointments can be scheduled by either calling 703.289.6402, or by emailing: metershopappointments@fairfaxwater.org.

Inside Meter Leak

If a leak is suspected on an inside water meter, send a picture(s) showing the location of the leak to: metershopappointments@fairfaxwater.org. Once the picture(s) is reviewed, someone from the Meter Shop will respond with further instructions.

Beware of Scams

Visits to Your Home or Business:

  • Fairfax Water employees have photo identification with them at all times while on the job. Our vehicles and field staff’s clothing bear our logo (see below).


     
  • If someone comes to your door and identifies themselves as a Fairfax Water employee, please ask for their identification or call 703.698.5800, TTY 711 to verify before letting them into your home.
     
  • Fairfax Water employees do not receive or accept any form of payments during service calls and we do not collect water-service fees door-to-door.

Click here for more information.

MMP program

The Meter Maintenance Program identifies inside meters that have registered over 1.5 million gallons of water and need to be replaced. Fairfax Water will first notify customers in writing, advising them to schedule an appointment to have a meter service technician come to their house to replace the meter. After the initial notification, follow up notifications may be made in person by a meter service technician and/or in writing.

There may be an interruption in service after four unsuccessful attempts to schedule the required maintenance of the meter.

Appointments can be scheduled by either calling 703.289.6402, or by emailing: metershopappointments@fairfaxwater.org.

FAQs

  • My plumber said that I need a new Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) and that I can get one from Fairfax Water.
    • Fairfax Water does not maintain or replace PRVs. You will need to contact a licensed plumber to have it replaced.
       
  • I have a leak on the pipes that hold my meter. I was told to contact Fairfax Water to have it replaced.
    • Fairfax Water only maintains the actual meter portion (see below). Pipes, copperhorn setting, Main Line Valves (MLVs), etc. are the customer’s responsibility. You will need to contact a licensed plumber to make the necessary repairs

       
       
  • I have an inside meter and my account is in good standing. I have a notice that my water was shut off by Meter Services.
    • Fairfax Water makes several attempts to notify the customer that meter maintenance is required, and for the customer to contact the Meter Shop to schedule an appointment. After four unsuccessful attempts have been made, the water service may be interrupted until the customer calls to schedule an appointment for meter maintenance. Once an appointment is scheduled, the water will be restored. Appointments can be scheduled by either calling 703.289.6402, or by emailing: metershopappointments@fairfaxwater.org
       
  • Is the small box attached to the outside of my house the meter?
    • The box on the outside of the house is a touch pad, which is connected by wires to the meter. This box is required so that the Meter Readers can read the meter remotely without having to come inside the home.
       
  • I had siding replaced and the contractor removed the remote reader.
    • Please contact the Meter Shop to have the remote reader replaced. If the meter service technician can locate the original hole, they can run the wires through it and connect a new remote. If not, the meter service technician will need access to the meter inside and drill a new hole to run the wires through, connecting to the remote outside. Appointments can be scheduled by either calling 703.289.6402, or by emailing: metershopappointments@fairfaxwater.org

Fire Hydrant Meters

Hydrant meters and tank inspections are handled Tuesday and Thursdays between 8am-1pm. Please call 703-289-6402 to make an appointment. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be accepted. You can also apply online at www.fwcustomer.org.

Fairfax Water permits various entities the metered use of fire hydrants within the Fairfax Water service area. To obtain a fire hydrant meter for a new or existing account, please fill out the Fire Hydrant Use Permit Procedures, General Conditions, and Agreement. The Permit Application can either be emailed to: hydrantmeters@fairfaxwater.org or brought with the deposit fee when a hydrant meter is obtained.

Hydrant meters are typically not authorized for the following uses:

  • Irrigation systems
  • Connecting to a building or dwelling for the purpose of providing drinking water for domestic use
  • Anywhere water can be obtained through a meter in a fixed location
  • Homeowners Association and Condominium Association uses

There are two sizes of hydrant meters: 3” fire hose connection, and a 5/8” garden hose connection. The rates can be found at: https://www.fairfaxwater.org/rates under Schedule 10 of the Schedule Of Rates, Fees And Charges. Fairfax Water only accepts checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks for the hydrant meter deposit fees. No credit cards or cash accepted.

All water apparatuses that are used within Fairfax County must have an inspection sticker prior to filling up from a Fairfax Water fire hydrant.

Monthly readings

Meter readings must be reported no later than the last day of each month, regardless of usage. Failure to report readings may result in a fine of up to $250 per meter, or the revocation of the permit. Readings may be reported by using either of the three methods:

The preferred method is to submit a picture of the meter reading via email, along with either the account number, permit number, or meter number.

Violations

Violation of the rules and regulations may result in charges of up to $250 per meter, revocation of the permit, and/or prosecution under section 62-2-8 subsection 901.11 of the Fairfax County Code. Further information can be found on the Fire Hydrant Use Permit Procedures, General Conditions, and Agreement.

Violations may be assessed for, but not limited to, the following:

  • Not submitting readings by the end of each month, regardless of usage
  • Hydrant meters left unattended
  • Failure to have hydrant meter(s) inspected annually
  • Unauthorized or improper use of a fire hydrant
  • Using a prohibited fire hydrant
  • Using a fire hydrant within the restricted area
  • Using a Fairfax Water hydrant meter outside of Fairfax Water’s service area
  • Using another water company’s hydrant meter within Fairfax Water’s service area

Inspections

Meters:

Fairfax Water requires all hydrant meters to be inspected annually, typically during the months of October, November, and December. Letters are sent to customers in advance, requiring all meters to be brought to the Meter Shop for inspection. A Meter Shop technician will inspect the meter and make any necessary repairs, at the customer’s expense. A new inspection tag will be placed on each meter for the current inspection year. Hydrant meter inspections are typically done the same day; however, the meters may need to be dropped off and picked up the next business day.

Trucks:

All tank trucks and/or portable water tanks used within Fairfax Water’s jurisdiction, are required to have an annual inspection. A current inspection year sticker will be issued and placed visibly on the rear bumper.  Customers requiring inspections on their tank trucks and/or portable water tanks may have a wait depending on the volume of inspections at the time. Any tank truck and/or portable water tank connected to a Fairfax Water fire hydrant that does not have a visible current inspection year sticker will be in violation and will result in a charge, revocation of permit, and/or prosecution.

See diagram below for what is required:

Fire hydrants

All Fairfax Water hydrants are painted red with a silver top, with exception to the hydrants in the former City of Falls Church service area which are silver with red tops. Certain fire hydrants within Fairfax Water service area are prohibited, click here for map showing restricted area. Fire hydrants with prohibited indicator rings are not to be used.

Fairfax Water maintenance facilities maintain fire hydrants. Customers are prohibited from painting, making repairs, or attaching flags to fire hydrants. Customers should contact Fairfax Water Customer Service at 703.698.5800 if there is a repair request for a Fairfax Water fire hydrant, such as painting, leaking, leaning, or damage.

Customers requiring fire flow pressure tests should send their request to:  fireflowdata@fairfaxwater.org.