FAQs

Approximately 60% of the meters on the City’s water distribution system are more than 15 years old.  As meters age, they can become less accurate and only measure some of the water used.  Meters of this age are more likely to leak, wasting valuable water. The new water meters will automatically transmit data wirelessly to the City through an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system, allowing staff to quickly pinpoint leaks and customers to monitor their water usage in real-time.

As mechanical meters age, they become less accurate and do not capture all water usage. The new meters account for more accurate water use and consumption data. 

As water meters age, the register slows down. This means the register will show less water through the meter than what is actually being used. Customers are still required to pay their bill.   

If your current meter is leaking, please contact the city to investigate the cause. If necessary, the meter will be exchanged and will continue to be read manually until the wireless communication network has been installed during the implementation of this project. You can call 206.275.7600 or e-mail us at customerservice@mercerisland.gov 

The meter replacement schedule will be created based on the billing cycle and meter reading routes. City staff or the installation contractor will notify property occupants with door tags at least 2 weeks before the scheduled meter exchange. If customers need to reschedule the meter exchange, they can call the phone number on the door tag. Overall, this project is expected to be completed by fall 2024.

No. Installers will attempt to contact each property occupant before starting the work. If no one is home and the water meter is not registering active water use, the installer will complete the work and place a door tag to inform the resident that the work was completed. 

To remove the old meter and install the new one, the installation contractor must shut off the water to your property for up to 30 minutes. If the installer observes water use through the existing meter, they will contact property occupants before shutting off the water. The installer will shut off water and exchange the meters if no water use is detected.  Following installation, staff will place a door tag to inform the resident that the meter was exchanged.

The City has contracted with Ferguson Waterworks to implement this project. Their subconsultant, Pedal Valves, Inc. (PVI), will install the new meters at customer locations. All installers have completed training and background checks and will have photo identification, wear identifiable uniforms, and drive marked vehicles. Before the meter installations, City staff will be visiting each meter location to clean out meter boxes and make any required preparations for the meter installation.

Customers can visit this Let’s Talk page to learn more about the meter installation schedule as it is finalized. The meter installation contractor will notify affected properties via a door tag approximately two weeks before the exchange happens. Meter installations will occur Monday through Friday, between 9 am and 5 pm. If special accommodations are needed, customers can call the number on the door tag. The installer will attempt to make contact with each residence prior to shutting off the water to make the exchange.

No, there is no charge for the meter replacement. This project is part of the City’s Capital Improvement Program.

Because the accuracy of the new meters will register the true water used, residents may see an increase in their consumption on their bill. Increased consumption usually means a higher water bill.

At this time, no, it will not change. However, the billing cycle may change in the future. The new meter reading system will allows the City to obtain meter information more frequently than the current system. As a result, the City may consider a more efficient billing cycle at a future date. Customers will be notified in advance if that occurs.  

Yes, all older meters identified for replacement must be replaced. The City does not allow for opt-outs.  

The new system will not negatively affect health. The new meter transmits information using radio frequencies, much like a cell phone, but at a power level of approximately ¼ of a cell phone. Each transmission only lasts for a second or two. If your meter lasts for 20 years and you were exposed to the radio frequencies from every single data transmission, it would be similar to a single 30-minute cell phone call.  

No, it wouldn’t.

When a property owner makes a renovation to their home, an upgrade or upsize of their water service may be required for one of the following reasons:  

• added plumbing fixtures can trigger a larger service requirement per the Universal Plumbing Code
• a fire sprinkler system may require a larger service to achieve fire flow
• the existing water service contains lead materials that are no longer code compliant.

Changing out the water service is more involved than switching out just the meter.  It involves replacement of the water service line (meter to main), tapping a new hole in the water main, and decommissioning the existing hole.  It involves a new meter setter box and the placement of a new meter (which will be compliant with the new radio-read technology).  Most of the labor associated with this will be carried out by a private contractor hired by the homeowner.  The labor will include excavation and restoration work in the street.  The private contractor will coordinate this work with the City, because the City Public Works Department will handle the portion of the work that touches the water main (the tap and abandonment).

The water service permit fees include inspection fees, one-time connection fees made to the water purveyor (SPU/City of Mercer Island) and a labor/materials deposit to cover the portion of the work completed by the Public Works Department. 

The AMI meter project is adding an automated transmitter to the meter.  If the meter is too old to support the new technology, it will be replaced with the same sized meter as the property currently has.  Only the meter will change.

Yes, this is normal during the installation process. The cloudiness is usually caused by air in the water lines and can be fixed by running COLD WATER in the bathtub or sink faucet at the highest point in your house for 10 minutes. If your water does not clear up after several minutes, please contact us at (206) 275-7600.