“Smart meters” to be installed for Toledo water customers
“The City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities is always modernizing and improving,” said Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.
TOLEDO, Ohio — The City of Toledo Department of Public Utilities’ water customers should soon have fewer headaches over their water bills. The department will replace 116,000 analog water meters with smart meters, across residences and businesses, beginning this month.
Also known as advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), the new smart meters will enable automated transmission of individual customers’ water meter readings, providing them with accurate, near-real-time data on their individual water usage. This technology will help customers gain deeper insight and understanding of how and when they use water.
Once the accompanying customer service portal is online, customers will have the ability to see their water usage as it happens, which means they can set alert notifications, as well as manage their water usage, and budgets, better than ever before.
The smart meters will report readings automatically throughout the day, allowing the city to track system leaks, reduce meter reading costs, provide immediate and transparent information to customers, and improve customer service.
The installations will be conducted in phases across the city. Prior to installation, residents will be notified by letter with general information about AMI, its benefits, and a project timeline. All residential installations are planned to be completed in approximately two years.
During installation, Johnson Controls and its subcontractors, working on behalf of the public utilities department, will interrupt water service for approximately one hour at each residential customer’s location. Before leaving the property, crews will run 10 gallons through the system to verify positive consumption and open a faucet within the home to flush out any sediment.
In addition to carrying proper identification, installers will be wearing vests and driving vehicles clearly marked with the City of Toledo and Johnson Controls logos. Installers will also be screened for COVID-19 symptoms daily, wear personal protective equipment, and practice social distancing.
There is no cost to the customer for installation of the meter. To learn more about “smart meters” and see a map of the installation phases, visit toledo.oh.gov/smart-meters.
