Water Meter Data Collection Stations

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The City of Mercer Island is investing in new tools to better serve water customers. In 2024, the City replaced the majority of residential and commercial water meters, and is working to implement an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system and an online portal where customers can track water use, leak alerts, and other notifications.

In order to collect the meter readings, the City must install data collection equipment at six key locations across Mercer Island. This equipment communicates with the AMI system and the new meters to transmit water usage data to the City.

In addition to improving utility operations, Mercer Island customers will see additional benefits including monitoring tools for managing water use through a new online customer portal.

Starting on January 20, 2026, most utility customers will be able to access their hourly water use data via the new VX Smart customer portal. Customers will receive information about setting up their new account in the portal in early 2026. In the meantime, the City's Utility Billing Team may be able to access hourly water use data for your account. Please contact them at 206.275.7783 or customerservice@mercerisland.gov, Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm.


Proposed Data Collection Station Locations

A total of six data collection equipment stations will be installed at various locations across the city. These proposed locations were identified based on their ability to effectively communicate with water meters across Mercer Island.

  1. Island Crest Park - permit approved, base station activated
  2. Water Reservoir - permit approved, base station activated
  3. Roanoke Park - permit approved, base station activated
  4. Crestwood area - public outreach complete, permit application in preparation
  5. West Mercer Way and SE 32nd St. - permit approved, base station activated
  6. West Mercer Way and East Mercer Way (south end) - permit approved, installation expected in early 2026

Each data collection station includes a 22” by 22” by 10.5” aluminum box base station and a communication antenna that ranges from 7’ to 9’ in height, depending on the specific location. Some stations are located on existing utility poles and infrastructure, but some will be mounted on new 55' tall utility poles.


Conditional Use Permit Process

Before applying for permits for each base station location, the City conducted outreach to properties within 300 feet of the proposed sites to inform them about the installations and upcoming permitting process.

Each installation requires the approval of a Conditional Use Permit, which authorize the use of this equipment as an essential public facility. Once the permitting process is underway, the City sends a Notice of Application to residents within 300 feet of each data collection site. The notification details the proposed permit application and opportunities for public comment. Ultimately, a Hearing Examiner decides on the issuance of each Conditional Use Permit, and a Notice of Decision will be published.


Have questions? Check out our frequently asked questions or ask your own here.

The City of Mercer Island is investing in new tools to better serve water customers. In 2024, the City replaced the majority of residential and commercial water meters, and is working to implement an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system and an online portal where customers can track water use, leak alerts, and other notifications.

In order to collect the meter readings, the City must install data collection equipment at six key locations across Mercer Island. This equipment communicates with the AMI system and the new meters to transmit water usage data to the City.

In addition to improving utility operations, Mercer Island customers will see additional benefits including monitoring tools for managing water use through a new online customer portal.

Starting on January 20, 2026, most utility customers will be able to access their hourly water use data via the new VX Smart customer portal. Customers will receive information about setting up their new account in the portal in early 2026. In the meantime, the City's Utility Billing Team may be able to access hourly water use data for your account. Please contact them at 206.275.7783 or customerservice@mercerisland.gov, Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm.


Proposed Data Collection Station Locations

A total of six data collection equipment stations will be installed at various locations across the city. These proposed locations were identified based on their ability to effectively communicate with water meters across Mercer Island.

  1. Island Crest Park - permit approved, base station activated
  2. Water Reservoir - permit approved, base station activated
  3. Roanoke Park - permit approved, base station activated
  4. Crestwood area - public outreach complete, permit application in preparation
  5. West Mercer Way and SE 32nd St. - permit approved, base station activated
  6. West Mercer Way and East Mercer Way (south end) - permit approved, installation expected in early 2026

Each data collection station includes a 22” by 22” by 10.5” aluminum box base station and a communication antenna that ranges from 7’ to 9’ in height, depending on the specific location. Some stations are located on existing utility poles and infrastructure, but some will be mounted on new 55' tall utility poles.


Conditional Use Permit Process

Before applying for permits for each base station location, the City conducted outreach to properties within 300 feet of the proposed sites to inform them about the installations and upcoming permitting process.

Each installation requires the approval of a Conditional Use Permit, which authorize the use of this equipment as an essential public facility. Once the permitting process is underway, the City sends a Notice of Application to residents within 300 feet of each data collection site. The notification details the proposed permit application and opportunities for public comment. Ultimately, a Hearing Examiner decides on the issuance of each Conditional Use Permit, and a Notice of Decision will be published.


Have questions? Check out our frequently asked questions or ask your own here.

  • September 17, 2024 - City Council Meeting Update

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    At the September 17 City Council meeting, City staff provided an update on the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter replacement project and requested authorization from the City Council to proceed with permit applications for the remaining AMI data collector stations.

    Staff presented information on the current status of the data collector stations. In May 2024, the City received permit approval for the Island Crest Park and City Reservoir data collectors. Both sites were activated in June 2024. Beginning in August, the City was able to ascertain which water meters are able to transmit data via these two data collectors - approximately 80% of the island's meters! This is due to the collectors' central locations. However, approximately 1,500 meters are not being captured by these collectors and will rely on one of the four other collectors slated for installation, due to Mercer Island's topography and tree cover.

    The data collector station proposed for the north end of the island, close to Roanoke Park, is currently in permit review and a Public Hearing is scheduled for September 26th at 9 am.

    At the meeting, staff proposed installing the three remaining collectors at the locations indicated by the 2024 propagation study:

    • West Mercer Way and SE 32nd St
    • Crestwood area, near SE 43rd St and 94th Ave SE
    • West Mercer Way and East Mercer Way (south end)
    City Council voted unanimously to authorize the City to pursue permits for these locations, and if approved, install and activate these data collector stations. Detailed information about each location will be posted on this page in mid-October, as public outreach to neighboring properties begins.


    The staff presentation can be viewed here.

    Read the Agenda Bill (AB 6529) here.

  • March 5, 2024 - City Council Meeting Update

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    At the March 5, Regular City Council meeting, City staff provided an update on the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter replacement project.

    During the Study Session, the City Council reviewed design options for data collection sites for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter system. Once installed, the data collection sites transmit water usage data from new residential water meters to City databases. Individual water usage data will be available to Mercer Island customers via a live dashboard.

    In order to collect and transmit the data, data collection sites must be installed throughout the Island. The City Council reviewed proposed location sites. While no direct action was taken during the Council Meeting, the City Council asked City staff to do a series of things including:

    • Recommended that staff proceed with applying for the permits and pole replacement for the proposed “Roanoke / 70th and 20th” data collection station, which, once implemented, will serve as a physical example for the Mercer Island community to preview

    • Look into options for painting the equipment brown, to help the data collection sites blend into the environment

    • Complete an updated cost analysis for Option 2

    • Complete an updated timeline analysis for Option 2

    The staff presentation and full City Council discussion of the proposed location sites can be viewed here.

    Read the Agenda Bill (AB 6422) here.

    Staff will return to the City Council with requested information at a future City Council meeting.

  • Island Crest Park

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    UPDATE | 6/18/24 | The Conditional Use Permit for this site was approved on 5/20/24. The data collection equipment at this site was activated in early June.


    Description

    The City proposes installing a 9' tall antenna and a base station on an existing 80' tall, City-owned field-lighting pole.

    Location Map

    Photo Rendering of Data Collection Station

  • Water Reservoir

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    UPDATE | 6/18/24 | The Conditional Use Permit for this site was approved on 5/20/24. The data collection equipment at this site was activated in early June.

    Description

    The City proposes installing a 9' tall antenna and a base station on an existing 110' tall, City-owned lattice tower. This tower is located adjacent to the reservoir facility in Rotary Park.

    Location Map

    Photo Rendering of Data Collection Station

  • Roanoke Park

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    UPDATE | 4/15/25 | The permit for this location was approved on September 2024. The antenna is being installed currently and will be activated immediately.

    UPDATE | 9/16/24 | A public hearing for this location is scheduled for 9/26/24 at 9 am.

    UPDATE | 6/18/24 | A permit application for this location was submitted to the City's Community Planning and Development Department on 5/21/24 and is currently under review.

    Description

    The City proposes installing a 7'8" antenna and a base station on a Puget Sound Energy-owned pole in the City right-of-way. A new 55'-foot pole will be installed to replace the existing PSE pole.

    Location Map

    Photo Rendering of Data Collection Station


Page last updated: 06 Jan 2026, 06:21 PM