Smart Water Meters

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The City of Walla Walla Water Division is committed to implementing programs that provide safe and reliable services to all of our customers. With the installation of the new advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) the City is now able to provide the benefits listed below.

Early leak detection, saving our customers from higher bills and property damage
Eliminates estimates due to inclement weather
Eliminates the need for a water meter reader to visit your premises
Improved meter reading accuracy

Contact us if you have any additional questions

You can reach the City's Water Division customer service at 509.527.4380 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm. You can also e-mail us at waterinfo@wallawallawa.gov.

FAQ Box

Can I opt out of a smart meter upgrade?

There is no way of opting out other than having your water service removed. The only difference between the old system and the new system is the way the meters are read. The old system required a meter reader to visit your property every month, and the new system reads the meters wirelessly.
How does the smart water meter system benefit customers?

In the past, the meter readers had to visit 11,000 homes and business to get readings each month. Smart meters have eliminated overcharging or undercharging customers during winter months. This occurred when snow prevented meter readers from physically accessing meters. This necessitated estimates. Estimates resulted in overcharges or undercharges for customers. When the meter readers could access the meters, these estimates were reconciled with refunds or additional charges the following billing period. The smart meters have functioned perfectly in all weather, even during power failures, resulting in $0 in overcharges. The system also detects water leaks quickly. We have seen water loss due to leaks reduced by 75%. Since we no longer use meter readers, vehicles no longer drive through all city streets each month, reducing the City's carbon footprint.
How does the water meter system work?

The system works via wireless signals sent from a small radio unit inside the meter. The radio unit sends readings to a regional data collector unit. Six times a day, each unit sends a 56-millisecond usage report to one of two base stations located at the north and south ends of the city. These base stations collect all of the data then transmit it to a secure, web-based server.
What are the parts of the Municipal Code dealing with water meters?

13.04.450 Meter assemblies ' Ownership and installation. The City will install all the necessary meter assemblies for measuring the water service used by the customer. However, the meter assemblies, even though the meter charge has been paid by the customer, will remain the property of the City. (Ord. 99-4 ' 8, 1999: Ord. A-3639 ' 1(part), 1990).

13.04.550 Meters ' Access for agents to install, read or repair authorized when. The City or its duly authorized agents or employees shall have the right to install meters on the customer's premises and shall at all reasonable times have the right to enter or leave the customer's premises for the purpose of installing, reading, repairing, testing, maintaining or reinstalling the meter and its related appurtenances. (Ord. A-3639 ' 1(part), 1990).
What happened with the old water meters and equipment?

We recycled the old mechanical meters we replaced. Water meters and radio units are the property of the City of Walla Walla, and the City's Water Division performs the required maintenance on these units.
What is a "smart" water meter?

The meter can digitally detect reverse flow and continuous flow (water leaks). It contains a battery-powered transmitter that is mounted through the meter box lid.
When did smart water meter installation take place?

Installation of water meters and MTU's (radios) began early 2017 and was completed in 2018.
Where can I get more information about water meters?

Call the City of Walla Walla Public Works Water Division at 509.527.4380 with questions or feedback.
Why does my water bill look different?

Your new smart water meter will read water use in gallons instead of cubic feet.
Will the smart water meters handle extreme weather?

The old, mechanical water meters that we replaced had a frost plate designed to break in order to protect the internal parts. In reality, the internal parts were still damaged about half of the time. The smart meters have no frost plate or internal parts. They handle being frozen much better than the old meters. Most of the time, they are thawed out and continue running as normal.
Will wireless technology in water meters affect my health or privacy?

The new meters will not negatively affect health or privacy. The wireless portions of the system use one-quarter of the power of a cell phone. Exposure to radio waves from smart meters is miniscule compared to cell phones ' transmission time for each unit totals 0.336 seconds per day. The technology provides more privacy, because meter readers do not need to go on your property to take readings. Data protection methods meet or exceeds all state and federal standards.

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