By the end of August 2023, the WSD had around 160 meter readers who travel across Hong Kong for meter reading and checking every day of its about 3.21 million registered consumers. At times, meter readers occasionally work in remote areas, including the countryside or outlying islands, and may encounter snakes, insects, and stray dogs. To help in their fieldwork, they keep a collection of tools colloquially called the "Six Treasures for Meter Readers".
HO Tak-chiu has been working as a meter reader for 28 years and enjoys his job as it allows him to travel to many places in Hong Kong. He still finds satisfaction in his work, even after all these years. "By the end of each day, our departmental supervisor passes out a list of consumers’ addresses, walking routes and the water meter information to be completed for the next working day. We then have to check the map and prepare for the trip. The destinations are never the same”, says HO.
Hong Kong’s urban areas are densely populated. A meter reader can read about 600 meters a day while working in a public housing estate. However, it becomes more difficult reading for consumers scattered in remote areas, such as Kau Sai Chau, Yim Tin Tsai and Kai Lung Wan on the outlying islands of Sai Kung. Meter readers must travel by a specially arranged shuttle boat to reach these places. After disembarking, they have to find their way to scattered village houses and are only able to read 50 water meters a day. All WSD consumers are treated equally with the same quality of services. HO believes it is his mission to serve the public.
After 38 years on the job, Senior Meter Reader TSANG Chi-kai, who used to work in the Kowloon East regional office, explains that a meter reader’s job is much more than just taking meter readings, they also inspect the condition of the water meter and are watchful for any sign of abnormalities. Rapid or unusual activity revealed by a meter can indicate water leakage or unlawful water taking. However, a water meter that runs too slowly or remains motionless for an extended period may indicate the need for repair or that the customer has been away from home for a long time. As each situation is different, the meter reader should draw on their past experience and look for other information to make a better assessment. Whenever necessary, they should conduct a basic inspection or report the case to their supervisor for further investigation.
Meter readers often work in dimly-lit back alleys or outside village houses where meters are located. Unfortunately, domestic dogs can react aggressively and bark when a ‘stranger’ is seen. TSANG recalls that none of his old teammates had managed to escape from dog attacks. In recent decades, the incidence of dog attacks has decreased, possibly due to a better awareness by dog keepers to constrain larger dogs. He added, “However, meter readers still face hazards such as snakes and poisonous insects in back alleys and small yards, and the bad smell in alleys is sometimes unbearable.”
HO Tak-chiu stated that meter readers have learnt the wisdom of carrying essential work tools with them. These tools are known as “the Six Treasures for Meter Readers”. They include a torch for extra lighting, a screwdriver for opening pit covers, sanitizing wipes for cleaning, protective gloves for hand protection, a toothbrush for cleaning a water meter’s glass reading dial, and a walking stick to keep them safe from dogs.
