Ventura will make shift to ‘smart’ water meter use

Ventura city officials are readying the community for mandatory replacement of all water meters.

According to City Clerk Else Taylor, installation of new meters will begin in mid-August.  The installation is mandatory to continue receiving water service.  There is no cost for the installation of the new meter, however, there may be residual costs involved with faulty shut-off valves inside the home.

The city has contracted with Midwest Testing LLC, of St. Louis Park, (Minneapolis), Minn. to install “smart meters.”

The new meters will use a modern cellular network to provide an effective and efficient two-way remote communications channel between utilities and water meters.  Traditional meters only send readings once every 30 to 60 days, but with smart meters, a reading is typically reported back once a day.

Smart meters also create a more informed consumer. Rather than waiting weeks, or even months to provide water usage data, a smart water meter supplies real-time information, allowing consumers to better understand and monitor water consumption daily. Unknowns such as leaks, breaks and other inefficiencies can be identified instantaneously, saving water and money. With greater access, consumers are not only able to more closely monitor and modify behaviors, they can use the data to identify potential issues early, allowing the utility to detect and repair minor problems before they become major issues.

Taylor reports a letter will be sent prior to the beginning of the installation program and a contact number will be provided for homeowners to schedule the appointment.  A door hanger will be placed at residences during the installation if appointments have not been scheduled.

The installation takes approximately 20 minutes.  During that time the installer will need to enter the residence.  All installers have had background checks and will be wearing an identifiable vest.  An adult must be present for the installer to enter the home.

“At this point, we would like homeowners to check their inside water shut-off valve before the meter, to make sure that it is functioning properly,” said Taylor.   “The water will need to be shut-off before the meter for the installation.   It is the homeowner’s responsibility for the homeowner to have a functioning water shut-off valve inside the house.”

More information will be released as it becomes available.