Smart Metering

Smart Metering: A Modern System for More Accurate Bills

The Sewerage and Water Board’s Smart Metering Program is underway. The program will replace nearly 140,000 water meters with reliable, efficient, and industry-proven digital technology. This smart metering system will allow us to accurately measure and bill customers for the water they use.

The Smart Metering Program was designed to resolve challenges stemming from the age of our water distribution system. SWBNO's average residential water meter is 14 years old. The current meters are old-fashioned and must be read manually. They are also known to gradually lose accuracy over time, often under-recording water use.

In contrast, our digital smart meters will take frequent, automatic readings. They transmit data directly to SWBNO and a customer dashboard, and they use built-in diagnostics to ensure accurate readings for accurate billing. The smart metering system will also provide data to help detect small leaks for customers and monitor the larger drinking water system, an ability SWBNO has not had before. This will reduce water loss for SWBNO and customers, increasing the overall efficiency of the drinking water system.

Responding to Customer Needs

Smart metering will give customers new reasons to be confident that bills reflect their actual water use.

Nearly eliminates estimated bills

Accurate, frequent readings

Automatic meter diagnostics

Advanced Tools

Once installed and connected to our wireless infrastructure, smart meters will send water use data to an online portal. Customers will have access to detailed usage information online so they can actively self-manage their water expenses. The portal will also offer immediate notifications of possible leaks and the ability to compare water use to that of previous days, weeks, and months.

Leak detection

Customized alerts

Online customer portal

Installation Schedule

After years of planning and preparation, this much-needed investment is moving forward. In December 2022, the SWBNO Board of Directors approved the final installation contract with Aqua-Metric, a smart meter vendor. With the contract in place, Aqua-Metric began work on the wireless communication infrastructure that will securely send water use data from the smart meters to SWBNO's billing system.

We anticipate the installation of meters for all 140,000 of our customers to take approximately three years.

Before installation, each customer will receive two notification postcards, one approximately four to five weeks before the meter installation and another approximately two weeks in advance. The installation team will leave a door hanger at each address on the day of the installation

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I get a smart water meter?

The entire project is expected to take approximately three years to complete, including the installation of all 140,000 meters. Installations will begin once all the necessary infrastructure and testing has been completed and the required number of meters to begin the project have been delivered. The meters will be gradually installed across the city based on meter reading route efficiencies.

How will the smart meter be installed?

The installer will:

• Locate your meter box containing your water meter.
• Knock on your door before they replace your meter.
• Turn off the water for 15- to 30 minutes.
• If your water is running when the installer arrives, it will NOT be turned off. The installer will return and attempt to replace your meter at another time.
• Turn the water back on after installation.
• Test the new smart meter to verify that it is operational.
• Leave a door hanger regarding any instructions or details about the installation.

Almost all of New Orleans’ water meters are already located outside. If your meter is located inside your home or business, the meter installation team will contact you to set up a time to change your meter.

Who will install the smart meter, and how will I know they are working for SWBNO?

Aqua-Metric is our meter installation partner. Installers will:

• Arrive in a company-marked vehicle.
• Wear an easily identifiable uniform.
• Have a contractor company badge.

We encourage customers to ask for identification from anyone who comes to their door.

Do I have to schedule my smart metering installation appointment?

No. Residential customers do not need to schedule their smart meter installation or need to be home to have the new smart meter installed.

Commercial customers will be contacted directly to coordinate when their meter will be replaced to avoid business interruptions.

Do I need to be home for the meter installation?

No. You do not need to be home when we install your smart meter. The meter installer will leave a door hanger to let you know we completed the upgrade or instructions to follow if they were not able to make the replacement.

How long will it take to install the smart meter?

It usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes to install the new meter. Some installations – mostly larger commercial meters – may take longer.

Will my water service be interrupted during the installation?

Yes, the water service will be turned off for approximately 15-30 minutes. The installer will turn the water back on prior to leaving your home or business.

My smart meter was installed. What’s next? Do I need to do anything?

No. You don’t need to do anything for your new smart meter to automatically start working and reading your water use. With our new customer portal coming soon, you will be able to easily monitor your water use and set alerts to notify you of unusual water consumption.

How much will this upgrade cost me?

There is no direct cost to customers for the new smart meters to be installed and used. In other words, the meter is included in your cost of service.

When will I be able to view my water use and bill online?

As soon as the new smart meter is installed and the customer portal has been fully integrated into the system. A customer will not have to wait until they receive a bill to see how much water they have used over the month. They will instead be able to log into a secure customer portal from a computer or a smart phone to view current consumption and costs. They will be able to tell what time of day (or month or year) they use water, which can help determine the causes of water consumption (gardening, showering, dishwashing, pool use, etc.) and give them the power to make changes as they please. Customers may also choose to set up automatic text, email, or phone alerts for unusual water consumption to help quickly address leaks or budget concerns.

Is my account information secure?

Yes. Your meter has a specific geocode that notes the location of your meter. The water use information is securely transmitted through an integrated network technology solution. The only information that is being transmitted is the water use from that location. None of your personal account details will be transmitted.

How will my water consumption data be used by SWBNO?

Unlike our current manual meter reads, smart metering data will allow SWBNO to have more time-specific information about how people use water (i.e., at what time of day is demand highest and where is use growing or shrinking across the city). We will use this to make more efficient, proactive decisions about infrastructure investments. Better data will help us renovate or expand the water system in the right locations at the right time.
The data does not tell us – or you – how your water is used, only when and how much water is used.

How do I know that the new smart meter reading is accurate?

The reading at the meter is regularly converted into a digital format using technology that has proven to be highly reliable and secure, as noted in project studies, pilot programs, and large-scale implementations. By having this information relayed in a digital format, it eliminates the potential for human error in manual meter reading. The smart meters also come with a 20-year warranty that guarantees their accuracy to the level of roughly 1.5%.