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 will replace all residential and commercial water meters with an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system and create 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 seven key locations across Mercer Island. The equipment will communicate 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.





Proposed Data Collection Station Locations

UPDATE | 12/15/23 | The permit application process has been paused for five locations, indicated below. City Council will evaluate alternatives to the identified locations in a Study Session at their March 5, 2024 meeting.

Seven 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. Proposed locations include:

  1. Mercer Island City Hall - permit process paused
  2. South Mercer Playfields - permit process paused
  3. Island Crest Park
  4. Water Reservoir
  5. Roanoke Park - permit process paused
  6. Eastside 71st - permit process paused
  7. South Point Landing - permit process paused


Each data collection station will include a 22” by 22” by 10.5” aluminum box base station and a communication antenna which will range from 7’ to 9’ in height, depending on the specific location. Some stations will be located on existing utility poles and infrastructure, but taller poles, ranging from 80' to 100', may be installed in some locations to ensure that data can be reliably collected from all water meters on the island.

Continue reading for site specific location and other details or click on a location (above) to jump directly to that specific site.

The public can provide feedback on each specific site by visiting the Proposed Data Collection Station Map.


Conditional Use Permit Process

The City is conducting early outreach to properties within 300 feet of the proposed sites to inform them about the installations and upcoming permitting process.

Each installation will require 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 will send a Notice of Application to residents within 300 feet of each data collection site. The notification will detail the proposed permit application and opportunities for public comment. Ultimately, a Hearing Examiner will decide 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 will replace all residential and commercial water meters with an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system and create 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 seven key locations across Mercer Island. The equipment will communicate 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.





Proposed Data Collection Station Locations

UPDATE | 12/15/23 | The permit application process has been paused for five locations, indicated below. City Council will evaluate alternatives to the identified locations in a Study Session at their March 5, 2024 meeting.

Seven 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. Proposed locations include:

  1. Mercer Island City Hall - permit process paused
  2. South Mercer Playfields - permit process paused
  3. Island Crest Park
  4. Water Reservoir
  5. Roanoke Park - permit process paused
  6. Eastside 71st - permit process paused
  7. South Point Landing - permit process paused


Each data collection station will include a 22” by 22” by 10.5” aluminum box base station and a communication antenna which will range from 7’ to 9’ in height, depending on the specific location. Some stations will be located on existing utility poles and infrastructure, but taller poles, ranging from 80' to 100', may be installed in some locations to ensure that data can be reliably collected from all water meters on the island.

Continue reading for site specific location and other details or click on a location (above) to jump directly to that specific site.

The public can provide feedback on each specific site by visiting the Proposed Data Collection Station Map.


Conditional Use Permit Process

The City is conducting early outreach to properties within 300 feet of the proposed sites to inform them about the installations and upcoming permitting process.

Each installation will require 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 will send a Notice of Application to residents within 300 feet of each data collection site. The notification will detail the proposed permit application and opportunities for public comment. Ultimately, a Hearing Examiner will decide 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.

Ask a Question

Do you have a question related to the proposed Water Meter Data Collection Stations? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions section to see if your question has already been answered. If you don't see your question in our FAQs, submit it here and staff will provide a response.

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  • Share How long does the public have to submit input and questions about the towers? When and where is the public hearing? on Facebook Share How long does the public have to submit input and questions about the towers? When and where is the public hearing? on Twitter Share How long does the public have to submit input and questions about the towers? When and where is the public hearing? on Linkedin Email How long does the public have to submit input and questions about the towers? When and where is the public hearing? link

    How long does the public have to submit input and questions about the towers? When and where is the public hearing?

    John RD asked 6 months ago

    Public Works will continue to answer questions about this project throughout the process. Once the permit applications have been submitted, residents and businesses within 300 feet of each proposed location will receive additional information about the applications, the timing for the formal 30 day comment period, and the public hearing from the Community Planning and Development Department.  The public hearing, which will follow the comment period, has not yet been scheduled.

  • Share Is it possible to accomplish water meter collection by putting water meter antennas on existing poles and have a larger number of antennas on existing poles around Mercer Island, versus installing very tall new towers? on Facebook Share Is it possible to accomplish water meter collection by putting water meter antennas on existing poles and have a larger number of antennas on existing poles around Mercer Island, versus installing very tall new towers? on Twitter Share Is it possible to accomplish water meter collection by putting water meter antennas on existing poles and have a larger number of antennas on existing poles around Mercer Island, versus installing very tall new towers? on Linkedin Email Is it possible to accomplish water meter collection by putting water meter antennas on existing poles and have a larger number of antennas on existing poles around Mercer Island, versus installing very tall new towers? link

    Is it possible to accomplish water meter collection by putting water meter antennas on existing poles and have a larger number of antennas on existing poles around Mercer Island, versus installing very tall new towers?

    John RD asked 6 months ago

    Yes, such an approach is possible. However, the systems that utilize that approach would require significantly more data collectors and antennas, leading to increased costs, particularly with respect to long-term maintenance of the additional assets.

  • Share Can the water meter towers support communication equipment such as cell phone equipment or other meters such as PSE meter collection equipment? Are there any plans to use these towers for those purposes in the future, and if not, what is to prevent these towers from being used for additional purposes in the future? on Facebook Share Can the water meter towers support communication equipment such as cell phone equipment or other meters such as PSE meter collection equipment? Are there any plans to use these towers for those purposes in the future, and if not, what is to prevent these towers from being used for additional purposes in the future? on Twitter Share Can the water meter towers support communication equipment such as cell phone equipment or other meters such as PSE meter collection equipment? Are there any plans to use these towers for those purposes in the future, and if not, what is to prevent these towers from being used for additional purposes in the future? on Linkedin Email Can the water meter towers support communication equipment such as cell phone equipment or other meters such as PSE meter collection equipment? Are there any plans to use these towers for those purposes in the future, and if not, what is to prevent these towers from being used for additional purposes in the future? link

    Can the water meter towers support communication equipment such as cell phone equipment or other meters such as PSE meter collection equipment? Are there any plans to use these towers for those purposes in the future, and if not, what is to prevent these towers from being used for additional purposes in the future?

    John RD asked 6 months ago

    Whether or not additional infrastructure could potentially be mounted on the poles or structures proposed for use in this project is a function of the ownership of each and the associated regulations. For instance, at three of the locations, the data collection equipment will be mounted on PSE-owned poles that are replacing existing poles. PSE would have the authority to determine if additional infrastructure would be allowed on their assets. There are two locations where a new pole, to be owned by the City, is proposed to be installed for the sole purpose of this project. There are two additional locations where the data collection equipment will be mounted on existing City-owned infrastructure. The City would only allow additional infrastructure on these assets if such additions are permitted by City regulations.

  • Share Did the city consider other tall structures for the antennas? For example, putting an antenna on the existing very tall light poles at the South End playfields or the communication towers behind the South End fire station? on Facebook Share Did the city consider other tall structures for the antennas? For example, putting an antenna on the existing very tall light poles at the South End playfields or the communication towers behind the South End fire station? on Twitter Share Did the city consider other tall structures for the antennas? For example, putting an antenna on the existing very tall light poles at the South End playfields or the communication towers behind the South End fire station? on Linkedin Email Did the city consider other tall structures for the antennas? For example, putting an antenna on the existing very tall light poles at the South End playfields or the communication towers behind the South End fire station? link

    Did the city consider other tall structures for the antennas? For example, putting an antenna on the existing very tall light poles at the South End playfields or the communication towers behind the South End fire station?

    John RD asked 6 months ago

    Yes, other existing tall structures were considered by the advanced metering infrastructure system vendor selected by the City.  Ultimately, the seven proposed data collection equipment site locations were selected based on their ability to effectively communicate with water meters across the island while minimizing the amount of infrastructure (i.e., the number of data collectors) required.  The use of other existing tall structures, beyond the Water Reservoir and Island Crest Park locations, either did not provide a benefit in extending network coverage or would be duplicative and therefore not needed.

  • Share Did the city explore alternative ways to gather the water meter data information, for example like how PSE collects information from their newly upgrade meters that uses equipment on existing utility poles? on Facebook Share Did the city explore alternative ways to gather the water meter data information, for example like how PSE collects information from their newly upgrade meters that uses equipment on existing utility poles? on Twitter Share Did the city explore alternative ways to gather the water meter data information, for example like how PSE collects information from their newly upgrade meters that uses equipment on existing utility poles? on Linkedin Email Did the city explore alternative ways to gather the water meter data information, for example like how PSE collects information from their newly upgrade meters that uses equipment on existing utility poles? link

    Did the city explore alternative ways to gather the water meter data information, for example like how PSE collects information from their newly upgrade meters that uses equipment on existing utility poles?

    John RD asked 6 months ago

    Yes, the City implemented a competitive process to review and select the advanced metering infrastructure system most suitable to meet the City’s needs.  This involved reviewing proposals from a range of vendors who employ a variety of communication technologies.

  • Share Mercer Island is in the flight path for Renton airport. Has the city coordinated with and received permission from the FAA about the towers considering their height? Will the towers require blinking red lights at the top for planes? on Facebook Share Mercer Island is in the flight path for Renton airport. Has the city coordinated with and received permission from the FAA about the towers considering their height? Will the towers require blinking red lights at the top for planes? on Twitter Share Mercer Island is in the flight path for Renton airport. Has the city coordinated with and received permission from the FAA about the towers considering their height? Will the towers require blinking red lights at the top for planes? on Linkedin Email Mercer Island is in the flight path for Renton airport. Has the city coordinated with and received permission from the FAA about the towers considering their height? Will the towers require blinking red lights at the top for planes? link

    Mercer Island is in the flight path for Renton airport. Has the city coordinated with and received permission from the FAA about the towers considering their height? Will the towers require blinking red lights at the top for planes?

    John RD asked 6 months ago

    All new structures planned as part of this project are poles, not towers.  In all cases, the structures are lower in height than the threshold (200 feet above ground level) above which consultation with the FAA is required if said structures are to be located in a flight path.  For more information, please reference 14 CFR Part 77.

  • Share How much money will homeowners be expected to pay for their residential AMI meter installation and monthly charges for that meter? on Facebook Share How much money will homeowners be expected to pay for their residential AMI meter installation and monthly charges for that meter? on Twitter Share How much money will homeowners be expected to pay for their residential AMI meter installation and monthly charges for that meter? on Linkedin Email How much money will homeowners be expected to pay for their residential AMI meter installation and monthly charges for that meter? link

    How much money will homeowners be expected to pay for their residential AMI meter installation and monthly charges for that meter?

    Taylor asked 6 months ago

    As a citywide capital project on the water utility, the cost for all aspects of the water meter replacement project has been factored into Mercer Island water rates.  Water customers will not see any additional charges for the new water meters or monthly charges for their operation.

Page last updated: 25 Mar 2024, 09:32 AM