🔍 Product Selector — Find the Right Water Meter Pit Box
Step 1 of 4–6
What are you looking for?
Select the option that best matches your need to get started.
Step 2 of 4–6
What shape do you need?
Water meter boxes come in round or rectangular configurations. Your local code may specify one.
Step 3 of 4
What depth do you need?
16" diameter round box. Choose your depth — measured from grade to the bottom of the box.
Step 4 of 4
Do you need a locking cover included?
16" diameter, 18" depth. Choose a complete set with locking cover, or box only if you have an existing lid.
Step 4 of 4
Do you need a locking cover included?
16" diameter, 24" depth. Choose a complete set with locking cover, or box only if you have an existing lid.
Step 3 of 4–6
What footprint (opening size) do you need?
Check your installation opening or local utility spec. The size is usually labeled on the existing box frame.
Step 4 of 5
What depth do you need?
14"×19" rectangular box. Choose your installation depth.
Step 5 of 5
What cover type do you need?
14"×19", 12" depth (D1200 series). Choose by cover color / meter reading technology.
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Which AMR configuration do you need?
14"×19", 12" depth. Choose between a complete set with locking AMR cover, or a replacement AMR lid only.
Step 5 of 5
What's the application?
14"×19", 18" depth (D1800 series). Choose by intended use and cover type.
Step 4 of 5–6
What type of meter are you installing?
13"×20" rectangular box, 12" depth (D1500 series). Choose based on your meter reading technology.
Step 5 of 5
Which configuration do you need?
13"×20", 12" depth, standard meter. Choose pipe slot count and cover type.
Step 5 of 5
Which AMR configuration do you need?
13"×20", 12" depth, AMR / smart meter. Choose your configuration.
Step 4 of 5
Which cover type and depth do you need?
13"×24" rectangular box — all sets include a locking security bolt. Choose your cover type.
Step 4 of 4
What depth do you need?
17"×30" heavy-duty rectangular box. All sets include a locking bolt.
Step 2 of 3
What size is your existing box?
Check the top opening of your current meter box. The size is usually molded into the box frame.
Step 3 of 3
What color / type of lid do you need?
13"×20" D1500 series replacement lid. Color-coding per AWWA standards.
✓ Match Found
Your Match
Based on your selections, here is your best match.
Buyer's Guide · Water Meter Pit Boxes
Water Meter Pit Boxes: How to Choose the Right Box and Cover
A water meter pit box protects an underground meter from weather, traffic, lawn equipment, and tampering — while keeping it easy to read and service.
Choosing one comes down to a handful of decisions: shape and size, depth, cover type, and how the meter gets read.
These NDS boxes are built for the long haul — a double wall at the cover seat and structural support ribs help them stand up to soil load and foot traffic year after year. They come in round and rectangular shapes, several depths, and a full range of covers. Start with size.
Round or Rectangular — and What Size
Round boxes (16" diameter, 18" or 24" depth) suit simple single-service installs and are quick to set. Rectangular boxes are the more common choice and come in footprints from a compact 10"×20" up to a 17"×30" commercial size. Check your local utility spec or the size molded into your existing box frame, then match it below.
13" × 20" — D1500
Most common residential
12" depth. Black, blue, or purple covers; single or dual pipe slots.
14" × 19" — D1200 / D1800
Standard / deep
12" (D1200) or 18" (D1800) depth for deeper installs.
13" × 24"
Wider · locking bolt
12" or 15" depth. Includes a locking security bolt.
17" × 30"
Heavy-duty commercial
15" or 18" depth for commercial and municipal service.
Pick Your Depth
Depth is measured from grade to the bottom of the box, and it needs to clear your meter, unions, valves, and any AMR equipment without bending pipe. A 12" depth covers most residential meters; step up to 15" or 18" for deeper service lines or freeze protection. Whatever you choose, dig deep enough that the cover sits flush with grade and add gravel at the bottom for drainage before setting the box.
Cover Color Tells the Story (AWWA)
A blue cover flags potable water at a glance.
Cover color follows AWWA convention so crews know what's below before they open it. Black is the standard; blue marks potable water; purple marks reclaimed water; and green is used for irrigation and valve-control housings. Match the color to the service line so your install reads correctly in the field and at inspection. A blue cover like the D1500 blue potable set is a common potable-water pick.
Reading the Meter: Reader Ports & AMR
An AMR cover adds a 2" touch-reader hole for fast reads.
Most covers include a reader port so crews can take a reading without lifting the lid — a plastic reader window for standard duty, or a cast iron reader port where you want extra strength and longer life. For automated systems, an AMR/smart-meter cover adds a 2" touch-reader hole (with locking and bottom-mount options) so data collection is even faster. The D1500 AMR set is a popular choice for utilities moving to touch-read meters. In traffic areas, specify a heavier traffic-rated cover rather than a standard pedestrian lid.
Pipe Slots, Security, and Replacement Lids
A single pipe slot handles a standard one-line service; choose dual pipe slots like the D1500 dual-pipe set when two service lines enter the same box. Where tampering is a concern, add a locking cover or bolt (the 13"×24" and 17"×30" boxes include one). And if your box is fine but the lid is cracked or worn, you don't need a whole new set — a drop-in replacement cover that matches your size and color is all it takes.
Set the Cover Flush to Grade
Excavate deep enough that the lid finishes level with the surrounding surface, connect your valves and piping, and add gravel at the base for drainage before placing the box. A flush cover is safer underfoot and under a mower, sheds water, and gives crews a clean, fast read.
Quick Selection Checklist
1. Complete set or replacement lid? Match an existing box by size and color if you only need a cover
2. Shape & size: round 16" for simple service; 13"×20" (D1500) is the common residential size, up to 17"×30" commercial
3. Depth: measure grade to box bottom — 12" is typical, go to 15"–18" as needed
4. Cover color = service: black standard, blue potable, purple reclaimed, green irrigation (AWWA)
5. Reads & extras: plastic or cast iron reader port, AMR touch-reader for smart meters, dual pipe slots for multi-service, locking cover for security
Not sure which configuration you need? Use the Water Meter Pit Box Selector above — answer a few quick questions about shape, size, depth, and cover, and it points you to the exact box and lid.
