Advanced Metering Infrastructure: Water Meter Upgrades

With this digital meter technology, every customer meter within Pinellas County will be able to reliably measure the use of water in your home or business and automatically send a brief, private, digital message to data collection tower using a cellular signal – much like a cell phone does. The cell tower then transmits all meter reads to Pinellas County, where the information is processed within our billing system.

Water meters are replaced about every 15 years to maintain accuracy. AMI, or digital meter technology, represents the latest improvement in the industry. Installing automated meters will enhance our customer service by minimizing the potential for missed or inaccurate reads and enabling us to provide faster service, better information and reliable bills for all our customers.

Digital meters allow real-time readings that provide a precise and timely record of your usage several times daily rather than a snapshot reading once every two months.

Yes. Data transmitted through the system is protected.

Service will not be disrupted while Pedal Valves, Inc. employees are verifying meter locations. There will be a temporary service interruption while meters are being replaced, which usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Customers will receive notices when this is scheduled to take place on their property. When installing meters, PVI installers will knock on every door to inform customers before replacing each meter. Additionally, customers will receive a written notice stating what work was completed or if there was an issue. Customers do not need to be home during the replacement.

No. The process should average 10 minutes at each property.

Utilities Customer Portal users can access enhanced features which allow them to impact the portion of their bill related to volume used.

The new potable and reclaimed water meters will be provided at no additional cost to customers. The meter is the property of Pinellas County Utilities. New customers connecting to the reclaimed water system will be charged the actual cost incurred for labor, equipment, fuel, maintenance, service and inspection associated with meter installation. Visit our Reclaimed Water User Fees page for more information.

This technology provides customers with greater control to understand and adjust water usage, thereby saving money through their efforts. It can quickly detect any irregularity in water usage, such as leaks and alert customer portal users to abrupt or abnormal changes in water usage much earlier than previously possible. It will also remove the need for manual meter readings, increasing the privacy of your home.

Yes. The products that make up the Advanced Metering Infrastructure system are stringently evaluated for safety and meet all standards established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Reclaimed water is a limited resource, the product of our refined wastewater processing and rainfall. Reclaimed water is the optimal resource for irrigating landscaping and lawns. The use of reclaimed water in this capacity preserves our potable water, a more expensive resource best suited for human consumption and household use.

In the past 20 years, the demand for reclaimed water has increased substantially while the volume of water entering the reclaimed water system has decreased because of higher-efficiency toilets and showers. We want to ensure this resource remains available to all customers, which is why we are installing digital meters and encourage smart
watering practices.

Starting Jan. 16, all reclaimed water customers will have four months from the date their digitally metered water usage data is available in the new Utilities Customer Portal before the new rates post to their bills. This gives you time to better understand your water usage and implement water conservation measures as needed. To learn more about the new rate structure, visit pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-utilities-rate-change.

Installations will be completed gradually based on meter reading routes throughout 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.