So, you're getting a new water meter

Not necessarily. In cases where rates remain consistent, the new meters will simply record consumption more accurately. In some cases, your bill may increase, but only if the current meter is underreporting usage. Presently, the majority of customers are paying for the water they are actually using, while a few customers are only paying for a portion of actual usage. This condition is not fair to all customers. Discussions have already been held within the City of Greeley that it does not intend to make bills retroactive where under-billing has been noted. The new system will ensure fairness and equality for all customers from this point forward.

No, your new water meter does not require any maintenance by the homeowner. As before, the City of Greeley will take care of all maintenance. However, please know that this new meter has transmitting technology that allows your meter to be read remotely.

Yes. All meters will be changed to be read by the automated metering infrastructure technology.  Customers cannot choose to remain on the older manual reading system. 

Advanced meter systems are quickly becoming the standard for utilities around the country.  These new devices allow for more accurate and faster collection of water usage readings than the current manual method and improve safety conditions for City staff.  Currently, the meter readers must drive by every meter box to obtain a reading from the meter.  Introducing automatic meter reading as the standard for Greeley is one of the ways we can better serve our customers, improve the overall efficiency of the utility department, staff will be utilized for more critical functions, and reduce gasoline usage. 

The city has received a $1.5 million U.S. Bureau of Reclamation grant to install 14,500 meters over the next two years. The money will be used to replace meters installed in the 1990s and prior. Most newer subdivisions have newer meters installed. The City will continue to replace meters on the remainder of the water system in the coming 3-6 years.

The City of Greeley has contracted with Utility Metering Solutions (UMS) to complete the meter upgrade throughout the City. All UMS installers will have an ID badge indicating their name and their employment with UMS and will be wearing bright yellow t-shirts/jackets/vests with “UTILITY METERING SOLUTIONS” or “UMS” on the back. Installers will travel in vehicles that have a large “UMS” magnet on the side. All UMS installers have successfully completed a comprehensive criminal background check.

No, your new water meter does not require any maintenance by the homeowner. As before, the City of Greeley will take care of all maintenance. However, please know that this new meter has transmitting technology that allows your meter to be read remotely.

The technology in your new smart meter uses radio signals to transmit meter data. These signals will not negatively affect your health or privacy. In fact, overall health will be improved, and privacy enhanced, by replacing drive by and manual visits to your home with radio communication. The wireless portions of the system will be operated according to Federal Communications Commission rules and will not interfere with other radio frequencies in the area. The transmitters use one-quarter of the power of a cellphone transmission. In fact, exposure to radio waves from smart meters is tiny compared to cellphones transmissions and other electronics within a typical home. Total transmission time is typically less than 5 seconds per day. 

No. The radio transmission operates in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations to avoid interference with other electronic devices. 

Yes, when your meter is fully implemented, water customers will have the ability to access their daily water consumption online in one-hour increments through the WaterSmart Program.  

Yes. The number of meter readers will be reduced and utilized for other critical purposes.  City staff will continue to visit your property for routine service, maintenance, or repair.  We will continue to respond to water emergencies.