How Much Is a Brass Water Meter Worth in Scrap?
Scrap value: $14.07 – $19.70 as of Nov 10, 2026. That is what a typical Brass Water Meter fetches at US scrap yards today. The exact payout depends on local prices, yard quality, and how well you've prepped the material.
| If the yard pays | You get |
|---|---|
| 50% of spot (typical low) | $14.07 |
| 60% of spot (typical) | $16.89 |
| 70% of spot (clean, sorted) | $19.70 |
What's inside a Brass Water Meter?
A residential brass water meter, typically 5/8" or 3/4" service. Made from red brass (higher copper content than yellow brass) and pays at the higher red-brass rate. WARNING: utility-owned meters are stolen property if removed without authorization — only scrap meters that you legitimately own (e.g., from your own decommissioned well system or with utility documentation).
| Material | Weight per unit | Per-lb rate (yard pays) | Per-unit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Brass | 6.44 lb | $2.19 – $3.06 /lb | $14.07 – $19.70 |
How to prep your Brass Water Meter before scrapping
Verify legal ownership before selling — water utilities prosecute meter theft aggressively and yards routinely report suspicious sales to local police under municipal ordinance. Remove the glass register face and plastic flow indicator; the cast red-brass body is the entire value. Bring documentation if available.
Why prep matters: Most yards pay different rates for clean vs. mixed material. An hour of prep can roughly double your payout per pound on copper-bearing items.
What yards typically pay
90-day Red Brass price estimate (US average) — the dominant material in a Brass Water Meter.
Find yards that buy Brass Water Meter near you
Enter your ZIP to see scrap yards within 25 miles that accept this material.
Calculate value for your specific situation
Adjust the quantity, add other items, or enter your ZIP for a localized estimate.
| Material | Recovered | Rate | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Brass | 6.44 lb | $2.19–$3.06/lb | $14.07 – $19.70 |
How are these prices calculated?
Each day we take metal spot prices from MetalpriceAPI and turn them into US average prices per scrap grade (spot × a grade factor; a few grades such as steel use fixed reference values). The calculator assumes a yard pays 50–70% of those grade prices, which gives the range you see. Full method.
Why a range?
Yards don't pay you the full grade price. They take a margin to cover transport, processing, and risk. The exact margin depends on grade quality, how clean the material is, local competition, and current end-buyer demand. The low end of our range is a conservative estimate; the high end is what well-prepared, clean material at a competitive yard can earn.
What affects your actual payout?
Preparation matters. Stripping copper wire to bare-bright roughly doubles the per-pound rate vs. selling it insulated. Removing brass fittings from copper pipe lets each metal sell at its proper grade instead of being downgraded to mixed. Quantity matters. Some yards offer better tiers for larger loads. Timing matters. Spot prices move daily; a 5% swing on copper is normal week-to-week.
Should I trust this estimate?
Treat it as a planning tool, not a guarantee. For large hauls, call two or three yards and ask for a per-pound quote on the specific grade. Don't haul anything more than 30 minutes without a quote — fuel costs add up. Most yards will quote over the phone if you describe the material accurately.
Related Plumbing
Frequently asked questions
How much is Brass Water Meter worth in scrap?
$14.07 – $19.70 as of Nov 10, 2026: that is the scrap value of a typical Brass Water Meter at US yards today, based on its metal content (Red Brass (6.44 lb)) and current prices. The exact payout depends on local prices, yard quality, and how well you've prepped the material.
What metals are inside a Brass Water Meter?
A Brass Water Meter contains: Red Brass (6.44 lb). Per-component recovery rates and current prices determine the value.
Should I prep a Brass Water Meter before scrapping?
Verify legal ownership before selling — water utilities prosecute meter theft aggressively and yards routinely report suspicious sales to local police under municipal ordinance. Remove the glass register face and plastic flow indicator; the cast red-brass body is the entire value. Bring documentation if available.
Where can I take a Brass Water Meter to scrap?
Use the ZIP code form above to find scrap yards near you that accept Brass Water Meter, with distance, contact info, and accepted-materials notes.
Estimates assume yard payouts at 50–70% of national spot. Actual payouts vary by region, yard, and material condition. Last updated Nov 10, 2026. © 2026 Scrapyards.io