A water meter wrench retainer that removably attaches to a water meter lid of a water meter can. The retainer has an elongated bar attached centrally to one end of a flexible member. An opposite end of the flexible member secures to a water meter wrench. When the retainer is attached to the lid, the bar is on top of the lid, the flexible member extends through an opening in the lid and the wrench hangs downward within the can. The bar is sized so that it can be inserted through the can opening as a way of securing the retainer to and removing it from the lid. One end of the bar is flattened to scrape mud and dirt from the meter. The flattened end aids a user in grasping the bar which allows the bar to serve as a handle to remove the lid from the can.