Water Meter Data Collection Stations
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. The customer portal is expected to go live in fall 2024.
Please note that due to a delay in the deployment of data collection stations, the customer portal will only be available for a portion of meters on Mercer Island. Once all data collector stations are installed and activated, this online portal will be available for all water customers.
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.
- Island Crest Park - permit approved, base station activated
- Water Reservoir - permit approved, base station activated
- Roanoke Park - permit currently under review
- Crestwood area, near SE 43rd St and 94th Ave SE - public outreach underway
- West Mercer Way and SE 32nd St. - public outreach underway
- West Mercer Way and East Mercer Way (south end) - public outreach underway
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.
Continue reading for site specific location and other details or click on a location (above) to jump directly to that specific site.
Conditional Use Permit Process
Before applying for permits for the three remaining base station locations, the City will conduct early 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 will 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.
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Who's Listening
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Deputy Public Works Director
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Utilities Operations Manager
This is the Code. They should not be variances. And I thought there are a few schools in the immediate vicinity. So, they should not install them near where the children are. https://library.municode.com/wa/mercer_island/codes/city_code?nodeId=CICOOR_TIT19UNLADECO_CH19.06GERE_19.06.040WICO
I would like to know if they can't install the extra-tall poles, what are the other alternatives? Thanks.
I am writing to oppose the current selection of the South Point Landing water meter collection station installation.
I have a few concerns:
- It is required to install an 80-foot pole surrounded by the residential properties. This pole will be dangerous during extreme weather conditions, such as windy\rainy days. The falling of the pole may cause damage to the properties or injuries to the human being. Even we purge the top tree branches to avoid this.
- Not sure how the data will be collected. If it is an electrical emission for collecting the data. As researched, electrical emission will have electromagnetic fields combined with Radiation which could harm the health of the people living here.
There are a few empty fields nearby that could be used to install this pole. It is not necessary to install a pole in this residential area.
As a neighbor impacted by the proposed south point landing water meter collection station, I am writing to oppose the current selection of placement.
This is not a good siting. The extreme height of the pole is a non-starter for our neighborhood. Our neighbors do not want an 80 foot pole in any area of our quiet residential neighborhood.
Consider an alternate location that does not impact our residential neighborhood so dramatically.
Please include me on any potential email communications on this subject,
I am sorry, but I am on the same page as Patricia and Kamolz. If it is a question of getting new meters and having to have these ugly out-of-proportion poles in my neighborhood, I opt to not have the updated meters. I couldn't care less about them. And once you allow these really tall poles, what is stopping PSE and Crown Castle from being allowed extra tall poles? If you allow the Water Company, then you have to allow PSE and Crown Castle. And I am not impressed with staff who don't even live here suggesting these. They should know that we think they are eyesores, will ruin the neighborhood and will cause a decrease in house values. Please ask whoever wants to install these tall poles, Mercer Islanders are not interested.
Dear Committee, I strongly urge you to reconsider and reject the proposed 7th site of the South Point Landing. This proposed site is directly in a residential neighborhood and such a massive transmission box would create substantial health risks to the residents in our neighborhood. I urge you to move the site to a non residential area such as Clarke Beach. Five of the other proposed sites are in non residential areas. The health of the residents of our neighborhood is extremely important.
The other major concern regarding this proposed site #7 is that the installation of such a large pole and transmission box will have a substantial negative impact upon the property values in our neighborhood. Many people in this neighborhood have worked hard to be able to purchase homes in this neighborhood and it would be unjust to diminish their property values and health when non-residential alternatives are available.
Benotho place is a private road and it is paid for and maintained by the residences and not by the city. Over the years Benotho residents have asked the city to take over the maintenance of Benotho Place and the city has always rejected taking over ownership of the road. It would be extremely unfair for the city to now place this pole at site #7 when the city is not maintaining or repairing Benotho Place. Benotho Place is a small one way dead end road which could not handle maintenance trucks used to repair the pole. Any maintenance truck would block exiting from Benotho Place. This pole should be placed on City property where the city can access it to maintain it and where the health of the Mercer Island neighborhood residents is not affected.
Thank you for seriously considering my comments.
Very truly yours,
Patricia Bostrom
Hello - I am extremely concerned with the proposed 7th site of the South Point Landing. This is right in the heart of a residential community, and the constant exposure to mass data transmission poses possible health risks to the residents, especially those who are within 300 feet of the utility pole.
Please move the location to Clarke Beach, or another public site, to minimize health risks to Mercer Island residents.
A secondary concern with this proposal is the impact of property value with having a 7' 8" antenna on a private property line.
Finally, Benotho Place is a private residential road that does not receive any City maintenance funds. The public utility pole should reside on City property that is accessible by City maintained infrastructure.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly Kamolz