Advanced Water Metering Infrastructure

Understanding advanced meter infrastructure (AMI)

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  Benefits of AMI

  • Early identification and notification to residents of potential costly issues like water leaks, abnormally high-water consumption, and by-law infractions like watering restrictions. 
  • Improved customer service.
  • Operational efficiency and less operating costs.
  • Reduced carbon emissions compared to the existing drive-by system.
  • Improved water conservation planning.
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  How AMI works

  How we collect water consumption data without AMI

  Your water meter continuously measures your total water usage. All water meters are equipped with a radio transmitter that transmits your water consumption data for billing calculations when our data collection vehicle drives near the transmitter.

  How we would collect water consumption data using AMI

  AMI enables your water consumption data to be collected through data collectors installed on civic buildings across the city, without the use of a vehicle. It uses a transmitter connected to the water meter that records and encrypts water consumption every hour.

  AMI wirelessly transmits water consumption data along with any leak or maintenance warnings to data collectors installed around the city 4 times each day.  This high level of monitoring enables staff to look for potential leaks or water meters requiring maintenance and respond to issues quickly. The data is shared with the our Utility Billing Department on your scheduled billing cycle to generate your water bill.

  AMI works whether your water meter is located indoors or outdoors. The technology uses a long-range radio antenna that collects data through a private encrypted radio channel. The channel makes sure continuous protection and confidentiality of private information while enabling hourly data collection. 

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  How AMI will affect you

  How AMI affects billing or electrical usage

  Switching from the current drive-by system to the AMI system will not affect your water service, utility bill, billing schedule, or how you receive your bill. There is no charge to replace or retrofit your water meter transmitter so that it works with the new AMI system.

  The radio transmitter will not increase your electricity usage or bill. The radio transmitters are powered by internal batteries that have a life warranty of 20 years.

  Where meters are located could affect if you receive a letter from us

  Most customers will not need to make an appointment. Most water meters are located on City property and can be transitioned to the new meter reading system without interrupting you water service.

  If your water meter is located on private property and requires additional attention, you will receive a letter from us providing details on how to book an appointment.

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  What landlords need to know about AMI

  We recommend that property owners inform tenants about changes in the way information will be collected because water consumption data can be considered personal information in certain circumstances. 

  There will be no interruption to tenants’ water service or changes to utility rates.

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  How water meters help conserve drinking water supply

  City staff have seen worst case scenarios with leaky toilets wasting up to 7,000 litres of water each day at a cost of $6,900 each year. That’s more than 10 times the cost of installing a new toilet and roughly 1,750 times the recommended daily water intake for most adults. 

Security and safety of AMI

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  How your information is protected

  In BC, your personal information is protected by law. We collect your name, address, and water use information to set-up and manage your account and bill you for the water you use. No personal data (such as names and addresses) are stored in the meters or transmitted across the network.

  Encryption

  The transmitter will encrypt your water usage information before sending it to a network of receivers that collect the data. Only the transmitter serial number and water usage readings are included, and no data will be transferred outside of Canada.

  Compliance

  Compliance for water meter data collection falls under Vancouver’s Water Works By-law No.4848. Personal information collected for these purposes is authorized by sections 26(c) and 26(e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

  Questions about your personal information? Contact the Director of Access to Information and Privacy at [email protected]

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  Radio transmission safety

  Radio transmitters are safe and comply with Health Canada’s radio frequency guidelines. The radio frequency levels of transmitters are significantly less than other common household devices such as microwaves, WI-FI routers, or cell phones.

  Learn more about radio transmitter technology and safety: 

  • Government of Canada - Case Study: Measurements of Radio Frequency Exposure from Wi-Fi Devices External website, opens in new tab
  • Government of Canada - Radio Frequency Energy and Safety External website, opens in new tab

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  Understanding water meters in Vancouver

  Water meters record total water usage. With a water meter, you only pay for the water you use. The water meter only records your water consumption. It does not tell us if you’re home or out, and can’t tell us which appliances you’re using. What we see is your transmitter serial number and the total and hourly water use. 

  Water meter connected to a transmitter

  Your water meter is connected to a transmitter that takes consumption information and sends it to a device that collects this data. This information is used for billing purposes to detect maintenance issues and water conservation planning.

  How water meters help conserve drinking water supply

  Water meters help residents use and waste less water to help conserve our drinking water supply. Climate change and a growing population will continue to put more pressure on our regional drinking water supply. 

  Who is metered

  All industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings are metered as well multi-family residences.  

  All new single and 2 -family homes and existing residences, that are being renovated or rebuilt, must have a water meter installed.