A water meter is a device used to measure the amount of water consumed in a household or business. It helps utility companies track water usage for billing purposes and encourages conservation by making users aware of their consumption levels. Water meters can be mechanical or digital, with digital meters often providing more accurate readings and additional data. Typically installed at the point where water enters a property, water meters can vary in size and design. They are usually owned and maintained by the local water utility, which is responsible for reading the meter and issuing bills based on the recorded usage.