▼

Department of Public Services / Engineering - Automatic Meter Reading Project

Show All Answers

1. What is the automatic meter reading (AMR) project?

This four-year project will install state of the art technology that will allow all of the water meters in the city to be read in less than eight hours using radio frequency signals from water meters.

2. Where is my water meter?

The vast majority of water meters are located inside the building in the basement. A wire leading to the exterior of the building transmits the meter reading to a touch pad located near the front of the building.

3. How does the new meter reading system work and how do I know the city has my reading and not someone else's?

The electronic transmitter device installed on your property is programmed to awaken and send the meter reading with your address and your meter number. Each meter and transmitter has a unique identification number that ensures your reading is assigned to your account. The information is then relayed to the Accounting Department and a water bill is generated with the reading and the coinciding address.

4. Will my water bill go up?

The cost of the new system will be incorporated in monthly water rates. Once the system is paid for, (three to four years) operating expenses are expected to go down with the elimination of three meter reading positions. The first year costs are $1.80 per month for water customers and $1.80 per month for sewer customers.

5. How do you know that my reading is accurate?

These state of the art water meters are made of components guaranteed by the manufacturer for accuracy within 1%. Because water meters can only register a reading when water is moving through the meter (this flow turns the component parts), they cannot register a reading higher than the displacement of the water moving through the meter. As meters wear out, the accuracy drops and the meter reads lower than the displacement of the water through the meter.

6. Do I have to be home for installation of the automatic meter reading (AMR) unit?

No, the AMR attaches to the existing touch pad unit mounted on the exterior of buildings. Building owners will be notified by mail when installers are working in their neighborhood.

7. How long will the installation take?

Under normal conditions, the installation of the AMR unit will take about 20 minutes. If a problem is encountered by installers, you will be notified and an appointment will be set up to meet an adult at the building.

8. What will the installers do at my house?

The automatic meter reading (AMR) unit will be mounted on the exterior of the building near the existing touch pad. The unit is 4 square inches and requires two mounting screws to attach it to the building. If you would like the unit mounted on the interior of the building, contact the Department of Public Services at 248.656.4685 to make an appointment for an adult to meet the installers and to accommodate them into the building.