Over the past week, Oceanside Water District operators surveyed meter boxes in the Oceanside Village in preparation for a leak detection operation taking place April 2nd. The detection equipment is being used to locate a mainline water leak. It requires direct access to the meter to “listen” for a leak unlike routine meter readings acquired using radio frequency. Many meter boxes needed clearing; several required to be completely dug out. We want to take this time and inform property owners per the Oceanside Water District Ordinance 14-01, meter box maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner, and any damage sustained to a meter or meter box shall be charged to the property owner. We understand property owners may not have been aware of their responsibility; moving forward, an inaccessible meter due to debris or obstruction will be charged with a $40 service call fee to cover the operators’ time and materials.

The cost of the meter and meter box are listed below if replacements are secured through the District: 

• Meter replacement: $350 (labor & install included) 
• Meter box and lid replacement (top of the line, traffic-rated, Armorcast box): $529.50 (labor & install included) 
• Please note: the type of meter boxes predominantly found in the Village are no longer manufactured, thus sourcing a replacement lid for the current box is no longer an option. 

Please email or call the Oceanside Water District office for more information. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining our water system!