Water is metered separately from electricity in every UAE home, and knowing how to check water meter details can save you a lot of back-and-forth with your utility provider. Whether you are disputing a high bill, submitting a reading, registering a new account after moving in, or simply confirming that the meter number on your bill matches the one outside your door, the details are easier to find than most people expect.
This guide walks through the practical ways to look up your water meter number, readings, and account information — online, on your bill, and on the physical meter itself — across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the northern emirates.
Quick Answer
To check your water meter details, look at your latest utility bill (it lists the meter number and account number), log in to your provider’s app or customer portal (DEWA, ADDC, SEWA, or Etihad Water and Electricity, depending on your emirate), or read the physical meter — the meter number is printed on the meter body or a nearby label. If you are a tenant and cannot find these, ask your landlord or building management for the meter and account numbers tied to your unit.
Which Provider Supplies Your Water
Your emirate decides who your water provider is, and the method for checking meter details follows the provider:
- Dubai: DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) handles both electricity and water for the whole emirate.
- Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) in Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain Distribution Company in Al Ain.
- Sharjah: SEWA (Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority).
- Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain: Etihad Water and Electricity (formerly FEWA) covers most of the northern emirates.
If you are unsure which company serves your address, your tenancy contract or the building management office will confirm it in seconds. Getting this right matters, because each provider has its own portal, app, and account format.
How to Check Water Meter Details Online
The fastest route for most residents is the provider’s app or customer portal. Once you log in with your registered email or mobile number, your account dashboard shows every service connected to your name.
DEWA (Dubai)
In the DEWA smart app or on the DEWA website, go to your account dashboard. Under your water service you will see the meter number, the current and previous readings, your consumption in cubic meters, and the billing history. DEWA bills also print a “Meter No.” field, which is the quickest way to match the bill to the physical meter.
ADDC (Abu Dhabi)
ADDC customers can check water meter details through the ADDC app or customer portal after logging in. Your account page lists each premise linked to your Emirates ID, along with the water meter number and reading history for each one.
SEWA (Sharjah)
On the SEWA website or app, log in and open your account details. SEWA shows the water meter number associated with your premises, recent consumption, and the readings your bill was based on.
Etihad Water and Electricity (Northern Emirates)
For Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain, the Etihad Water and Electricity portal and app let you view your water account, meter number, and consumption records once you register with your Emirates ID and account number.
A useful habit: if you have just moved in, it helps to understand the connection requirements before your first bill arrives — our guide on UAE utility connection requirements covers the documents providers typically ask for. And if you are still hunting for the number itself, see how to find your meter number for provider-by-provider pointers.
How to Check Water Meter Details on Your Bill
Every UAE water bill — paper or digital — carries the key identifiers you need:
- Meter number: the unique number of the physical meter serving your home. Sometimes labelled “Meter No.” or “Water Meter No.”
- Account number / contract account number: your customer account with the provider, which stays the same even if the meter is replaced.
- Premise number: an identifier for the property itself, used mainly by DEWA.
- Previous and current readings: the cubic-meter figures your bill was calculated from.
Keep a PDF or screenshot of at least one recent bill. You will be asked for the account or meter number almost every time you contact customer service, request a move-in/move-out, or dispute a charge. To get a digital copy whenever you need one, follow how to download a utility bill.
How to Check Water Meter Details on the Physical Meter
Water meters in the UAE are usually installed outside the villa or apartment — in a service cabinet near the entrance, in the building’s utility room, or in a shared meter bank for apartments. Here is how to read what you find:
- Locate the meter. Look for a small cabinet or wall-mounted box labelled with your unit number, or ask building security where the water meters are kept.
- Find the meter number. It is engraved or printed on the meter body, or on a sticker/label attached to it. It is typically a string of digits, sometimes with letters.
- Read the dial or digital display. Most UAE water meters show consumption in cubic meters (m³). Note the full number including leading zeros — providers usually want the exact figure.
- Match it to your bill. Compare the number on the meter with the meter number printed on your bill. If they do not match, you may be looking at a neighbour’s meter — common in apartment meter banks — so double-check the unit labelling before going further.
If you need to confirm your electricity details too, the process is very similar: see how to check electricity meter details.
What the Details on a Water Meter Mean
| Detail | What it is | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Meter number | Unique ID of the physical meter | Printed on the meter; also on your bill |
| Account number | Your customer account with the provider | Bill, app dashboard, welcome email |
| Meter reading | Cubic meters of water used to date | Meter display; bill; app |
| Consumption | Usage between two readings (current minus previous) | Bill breakdown; app |
| Premise number | Identifier for the property | DEWA bill and portal |
The reading itself is cumulative — it only ever goes up. Your bill charges you for the difference between the previous reading and the current one, multiplied by your emirate’s water tariff slab. If the consumption figure on your bill looks wrong, compare it against the actual meter display; estimated readings (taken when the meter could not be accessed) are a common cause of surprises.
How to Check Water Meter Details as a Tenant
Tenants run into a particular version of this problem: the utility account may still be in the landlord’s name, or the account may have been transferred but the tenant was never given the numbers. A few practical steps:
- Ask your landlord or the property management company for the water meter number and account number for your unit. They are obliged to have these.
- Check your tenancy contract — in Dubai, an Ejari-registered tenancy contract is needed before DEWA will connect or transfer service, and the contract sometimes references the premise details.
- If the account is in your name, register on the provider’s app with your Emirates ID; all linked premises and meters will appear automatically.
- In shared buildings, confirm with management which physical meter belongs to your flat before submitting any reading — submitting a neighbour’s reading creates a mess that takes weeks to untangle.
Also make sure you know your account number, since portals and customer service lines often ask for it first — how to check your utility account number explains where to find it.
When the Details Do Not Add Up
Occasionally the numbers raise questions rather than answering them. Common situations and what to do:
- Meter number on the bill does not match the physical meter: contact your provider and ask them to verify which meter is registered to your premise. Do not just pay and hope — a mismatched meter means you could be paying for someone else’s usage.
- Sudden spike in consumption with no change in habits: check for leaks (running toilets and dripping taps are the usual suspects), then compare the bill’s reading against the actual meter. If the meter reading is lower than what you were billed, ask for a correction.
- Estimated instead of actual readings: providers estimate when they cannot access the meter. If estimates are consistently off, request an actual reading or submit your own through the app, where the provider allows it.
- Meter appears damaged or stuck: report it to the provider rather than touching it yourself. Tampering with a utility meter carries penalties, so leave repairs to the authorised technicians.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is the water meter number located?
It is printed or engraved on the meter body itself, often on a label or sticker, and it also appears on every water bill and in your provider’s app under your account details.
Is the water meter number the same as the account number?
No. The meter number identifies the physical device; the account number identifies you as the customer. If the meter is ever replaced, the meter number changes but your account number stays the same.
Can I check my water meter details without logging in?
Partially. The physical meter and a paper bill give you the meter number and readings without any login. But consumption history, account-level details, and bill downloads need you to log in to the provider’s portal or app.
How do I submit my own water meter reading?
Most providers accept self-submitted readings through their app or website — useful when access to the meter is difficult. Log in, find the meter reading or self-service section, and enter the exact figure from the display. Check your provider’s portal for the current process, as it changes from time to time.
What should I do if I cannot find my water meter at all?
Ask your building management or landlord where the meters are located — in many apartment buildings they are in a locked utility room. As a last resort, your provider’s customer service can confirm the meter number registered to your premise using your account number or Emirates ID.
Do I need the water meter details when moving out?
Yes. When closing or transferring your account, the provider typically asks for the final meter reading and the account or meter number to calculate your last bill and release any deposit. Take a photo of the meter on moving day as proof of the final reading.
The Bottom Line
Checking your water meter details comes down to three sources: your bill, your provider’s app, and the physical meter. The bill is the fastest, the app gives you history and self-service options, and the physical meter settles any argument about what the numbers should be. Keep the meter number and account number saved somewhere accessible — you will reach for them every time you move, dispute a bill, or deal with customer service, and having them ready turns a long phone call into a short one.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.