SANFORD, Fla. – The city of Sanford is in the process of replacing all of the water meters with new, digital ones.
The utilities staff said it will provide homeowners and the city with accurate daily information so customers can manage their budgets and the city can respond to problems in the system faster.
News 6 followed crews Wednesday and they showed us exactly what residents can expect and why they’re upgrading the meters city-wide.
Bill Marcous, the utility manager, said this new technology allows the city to read water meters remotely and collect water usage data daily.
“We now have an AMR system, an automated reading system, where we drive by and get the read,” Marcous said. “This will be a continuous read.”
Customers will have more access to their water usage data than ever before, which will allow them to understand how they use their water.
“Now, you’ll be able to see yourself every day, how much water you’re actually using,” Marcous said. “Ultimately, we’ll have a customer portal, and they will be able to sign up for that, get alerts and such. We’ll be able to, whether you sign up or not, be able to see that information at the utility.”
That information will likely result in a change in how much you pay each month.
“It should be different,” Marcous said. “Some might be higher. Some might be lower and some might be within range. It obviously depends on how accurate the existing meters are in place there. If it is high, please give us a call.”
The city has created a website where homeowners and property owners can get information about water meter replacement. One of the most commonly asked questions answered on that site is “Will my water bill increase in cost?”
Marcous said crews are working to replace 25,000 water meters throughout Sanford. They are starting in residential areas before they move on to commercial buildings as well. It could take up to two years before all of the work is done.
Residents should receive a notice on their door two weeks to two days before crews show up to install a meter at their home. On the day of the installation, you can expect crews to knock on the door before starting work. Once they are done you will receive another notice informing you the installation is complete or they may need to return at a later date to complete the installation.
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