New System Will Improve Billing for Water Customers

Saskatoon Water is phasing-in a new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system for water meters.

“Water meters will have a communication module added to take advantage of the benefits of AMI, which include remote meter reading, and monthly billing based on current usage, not estimates,” says Reid Corbett, Director of Saskatoon Water. “A Saskatoon Water technician requires access to the inside of homes to complete the conversion, which takes about 10 minutes.”

Saskatoon Water will notify residents with a letter when technicians are in their neighbourhood. Once a resident receives this letter, they can book an appointment online at saskatoon.ca/watermeter. It’s important to note that only residents of the areas where work is occurring can book an appointment. Currently appointments are available for water meter customers in Holiday Park, King George and Riversdale.

Between appointments, technicians will visit adjacent homes that have not made a booking to request access to their water meter. If residents are not home, they will leave a door hanger explaining the program and asking residents to make an appointment.

“We are expecting it to take approximately five years to convert all of Saskatoon’s 72,000 water meters to work with the new AMI system,” says Corbett. “The key to our success is cooperation from our customers, which includes booking an appointment online as soon as they receive our first letter.”

About 62,000 water meters newer than 1994 will have the black circular scan pad on the outside of the home replaced with a communication module. Once the communication module is in place, the wiring system that currently links the scan pad to the water meter will be attached to the new communication module.

About 10,000 meters installed prior to 1994 will be completely replaced and have the communication module added in order to work with AMI. Replacement of older water meters is part of the regular maintenance program.

To learn more about the AMI program visit saskatoon.ca/watermeter.