Typical water meter assemblies comprise a series of plumbing elements positioned within a meter box. The plumbing includes a water meter coupled to an angle meter stop (sometimes also referred to as an “angle meter valve”). The angle meter stop includes a valve and is typically positioned adjacent to the water meter toward one end of the meter box. The angle meter stop forms a 90° downward bend, with a horizontal portion coupled to the water meter and vertical portion coupled to a downwardly extending vertical conduit that connects with a water main or water source. The vertical portion of the angle meter stop is typically attached to the downwardly extending vertical conduit using a “grip-tite” friction fit.
Periodically, maintenance needs to be performed on the plumbing elements of the water meter assembly. For example, the water meter may need to be replaced every 15 years. To replace the water meter, the valve of the angle meter stop is first closed and the old water meter disconnected from the angle meter stop. A new water meter is then installed. With the valve closed, the water pressure in the vertical portion of the valve can exert a strong upward force on the angle meter stop. Without the water meter connection holding the angle meter stop in place, the only force holding the angle meter stop to the vertical conduit is the “grip-tite” friction fit. If the friction fit is not properly formed, or the friction fit fails for any reason, the water pressure can cause the angle meter stop to violently blow off from the vertical conduit and injure a person performing maintenance.