The Shomer Shabbos public has eagerly received the news of the recent installation of non-Shabbos violating digital water meters in many locations throughout the country. These meters have already been set up on a limited basis in Beit Shemesh, Rosh Pina, Beit Chilkiya and other places.
These meters operate electronically on weekdays according to electrical changes and digital registration, but on Shabbos and Yom Tov, they are disconnected from any computerized setup and become mechanical in every way. On motzei Shabbos the digital setup reads the figures registered on the mechanic meter and duly retains them.
These pioneer installations are especially important as pilots for this novel technology. According to information received from places where they are now in operation, the meters operate smoothly on Shabbos and Yom Tov and no hitches or complaints have come in regarding the quality of the meters and their accuracy.
Generally, modern water meters are sensitive electronic instruments and they make the simple act of opening a water tap into a halachic problem on Shabbos. This is known to be a problem in many areas of Israel. It is presumed to be an issue outside of Israel as well, but no information is available about it.
