- What is an AMR Project?
- Where is my water meter?
- Why do I need a new meter?
- How does the new meter reading system work?
- Will my water bill go up?
- When can I expect my first bill?
- How do I know that you have my reading and not someone else's?
- How do you know that my reading is accurate?
- How do I know if higher usage may be a result of a leak in my plumbing system?
- Do I have to be home for the process?
- How long will the meter installation take?
- What will they do inside my house?
- Is there a hazard from the radio transmitter in my home?
- Is there anything hazardous inside the equipment?
- Will the radio interfere with my television, cordless phone or pacemaker?
- Is this system monitoring my phone calls?
- Is this system monitoring how many people are in my house?
- How will I know your installer works for you?
- What if we have a leak after the meter is installed?
- What happens if the wires are cut?
- Who should I call if would like more information about the AMR Project itself?
The AMR Project really means Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and Meter Replacement Program. This 3 year city wide project will replace all old meters with new, state of the art meters that will allow DCWASA to obtain meter readings without coming to your home. This means you will always be billed from actual meter readings.
The vast majority of residential water meters are located outside in meter pits near the sidewalk or curb. However your water meter may be inside, in which case it would most likely be located in the basement or crawl space, usually along the front wall of your house.
Approximately 85% of DCWASA's water meters are over 25 years old. Consequently, they produce high maintain costs.
Twice a day the radio frequency device at the meter sends its meter reading to a data collector unit. Then on a daily basis, the data collector unit forwards all the meter readings it has collected to DCWASA's customer service headquarters for billing.
Older meters tend to run slower and therefore do not measure all the water going through them. The new water meter will accurately measure the water that you use. All new meters are tested at the factory to ensure that they register properly. If you see a higher bill, it is usually not because your new meter is reading too high; it is because the old meter was running slow. DCWASA will not back bill customers because their old meter was running slow, but all customers with new meters will now pay for their actual usage.
The first bill after you get your new meter will be for the previous three (3) months, which is your regular quarterly bill. This will be your last quarterly bill, thereafter, each month you will receive a water bill for the previous month's actual water usage.
Each radio frequency device has a unique identification number, which is transmitted along with the meter reading. The unique identification number is compared to your account record to ensure that there is a match.
These state of the art water meters have electronic registers, which verifies the meter reading three times before it is sent to the transmitting unit. This reading is deemed more accurate than visually reading the meter.
A new, more accurate meter may detect small leaks that the older meter missed. Check faucets for small drips. Also check your toilet tank for small leaks in the toilet bowl. Place a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the water in the bowl changes to the color of dye used in the tank, you have a leak. Seek assistance from your local home improvement center or plumbing professional to fix all such leaks.
In most cases the meter is located outside in a meter pit near the street, therefore, you do not need to be home for this work to be completed. If your meter is located inside your home, then you would have to be home while the meter is being installed. DCWASA's installation contractor will be contacting you to set up an appointment to change your inside meter. You may also call the installation contractor to reschedule a previously arranged appointment.
Under normal circumstances, the installation will take 15-30 minutes. The water will have to be turned off for about 5 to 10 minutes until the meter is changed. Please be advised that there may be some trapped air or slight discoloration in the water line. This will clear up after running your water for a few moments. You may hear some noise as the air exits spigots and fixtures. This is normal.
Generally the Contractor's installer will, with your permission, locate your inside water meter, remove the old meter, install the new meter and run wire along a wall or foundation to a point at least 12 feet above the meter level. They will then attach the transmitting unit, and clean up the area.
No, the radio signal is only on for less than a second each day. The power level is far below that where any risk occurs.
No, only ordinary electronics and batteries are inside the equipment
No, the radio transmissions occur on a licensed frequency very different from those used by television signals, cordless phones and pacemakers. In addition, the transmissions last less than 1 second each day. You will never see interference with your television reception.
No, this equipment does not monitor phone calls.
No, this equipment does not monitor how many people are in the house.
All installers will be wearing uniforms with either United Metering or REI identification. Each installer will have picture ID badges furnished by DCWASA. If you are unsure about the installer's identity, call the United Metering project office for confirmation.
DCWASA will make every effort to dispatch service personnel as quickly as possible to determine the cause of the leak and to take appropriate action. You may call DCWASA Customer Service at 202-354-3600 during normal working hours (8:00AM - 5:00 PM Monday thru Friday) or during off hours 202-612-3400.
If the wires between the water meter and the reading unit are cut, the reading unit will signal that a wire cut has occurred. The Water and Sewer Authority will respond to correct the problem. If the service person determines that a deliberate cut occurred, the owner of the property will be billed for the costs to repair.
You may directly call DCWASA's Contractor United Metering Inc. at 202-293-4267.
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