City starting water meter upgrade project

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on February 7, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Water and wastewater operations manager Leanne Lammertsen showcases the two different types of water meters that will be replacing old ones across the city, on Tuesday at the City of Lethbridge operations building.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The City of Lethbridge will be upgrading thousands of water meters across the city to make it more convenient to read without disturbing residents or their pets while staff are in their yards.

Water and wastewater operations manager Leanne Lammertsen said Tuesday this is a three-year program to replace about 10,000 water meters in the city, at no cost to residents.

“These water meters are new technology which will allow us to read water meter information without going into people’s yards or their houses. We can read the meters by driving by,” said Lammertsen.

She said based on the City’s records of the oldest meters, they selected the households that will be required to update their water meter. Residents will be notified by a door hanger with instructions to call to make an appointment to schedule their upgrade.

“This will require that we go into people’s houses to make the exchange. The appointments to do that work will be about 30 minutes long,” said Lammertsen.

 She explained that the actual water meters are inside the residences, while the portion that allows them to read the meter is outside mounted on a wall. That is why City workers are required to come into people’s yards at this time but will no longer have to do so after the meter is replaced.

“Part of the reason for doing this project is to become more efficient in how we read meters and to be less intrusive,” said Lammertsen.

The new meters will also enhance efficiency by streamlining information collection, reducing missed reads, and providing more accurate and predictable billing.

 Lammertsen said targeted meter exchanges are being rolled out neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood, beginning on the west side with Indian Battle Heights and Copperwood, with appointments available starting today.

“This project is going to take three years. We’re expecting to go through the whole city neighbourhood by neighbourhood so we’ve got lots of time, but we would encourage people to call and book an appointment whenever they get the notice at their house,” said Lammertsen.

She said the City has staff available seven days per week to make it easier for residents to book appointments. Appointments will be available between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. every day until the last meter is replaced.

To schedule an appointment, or for more information about the Water Meter Upgrade Program, residents can call or chat with 311 Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.