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1. Will wireless technology affect my health or privacy?

No, the new meters will not negatively affect health or privacy. In fact, overall health will be improved and privacy enhanced by replacing vehicles and manual visits to your home with environmentally clean 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 cell phone. The amount of exposure to radio waves decreases with the square of the distance from the source. Exposure to radio waves from the new meters is absolutely tiny compared to cell phones. In addition, transmission time for the units we are installing totals 15 seconds per day.

2. What is a radio-read water meter?

A radio-read water meter is a water meter with a radio read transmitter device that reads water service information wirelessly using well established, extremely short interval radio transmission technology to send the readings to city offices.

3. What are the advantages of the new water meters?

The wireless reading utilizes a few antennas strategically placed existing buildings or towers to collect water service data directly from the meters and send it to a central location for processing. This allows the city’s Utility Department staff more time to address necessary water system maintenance and water-quality protection tasks. Radio read provides key functions such as more accurate consumption readings, daily and monthly usage charts, 24-hour leak detection, high/low consumption alerts, and alarms for cut wires and backflow conditions. These features will enable the city to better manage its water system and provide customers with superior customer service.