Automated Meter Infrastructure

Coming Soon for Menlo Park Municipal Water Customers

The Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) Project will replace or retrofit all water meters beginning in June 2024 for Menlo Park Municipal Water (MPMW) customers. These new meters will record and transmit accurate, hourly data in near real-time so customers can view their water use via computer or mobile devices, as well as set alarms to be notified of possible leaks in order to take immediate action. The City of Menlo Park was awarded a $500,000 federal Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grant to help fund this project. Once all meters have been replaced and the project is completed, data from the AMI meters will be available for customers to view.

On September 1, 2023, detailed brochures(PDF, 2MB) were mailed to all MPMW service addresses containing important information about the AMI project. The City will send a postcard in the mail to MPMW customers at least two weeks in advance of each residence's scheduled installation. The work will take less than an hour and water service may be temporarily unavailable. Customers do not need to be present during the work.

Please contact us if you are a MPMW customer and your business requires nonstop water service to schedule an appointment. 

Menlo Park Municipal Water has partnered with Concord Utility Services to perform the installations. Technicians will be identifiable by their orange uniforms, photo ID and branded vehicles.

The installation is scheduled according to our current meter reading cycles, beginning in the Bayfront area which contains the majority of our high volume commercial water users. Then, moving west to Belle Haven, the Willows, and finishing in Sharon Heights. For an estimated timeframe of when your service address is scheduled for installation, visit the City's interactive AMI Installation Map.

  AMI Installation Map

AMI Graphic no logo

Customer benefits

  • Alert customers of potential leaks or high water usage 
  • Access hourly water use data from any computer, phone or tablet
  • Increase awareness of water use patterns throughout the day
  • Reduce water bills by providing a better understanding of usage
  • Enhance customer service through an online user-friendly portal 

City benefits  

  • Eliminates manual meter reading and inaccurate reads.
  • Decreases the time for meter data collection.
  • Improves the efficiency of billing operations.
  • Reduces water loss.
  • Enhances customer service.

FAQs

How can I know if this project affects my home/business?

If you receive a water bill from Menlo Park Municipal Water, your water meter will be retrofitted or replaced. To verify your water provider, visit the City of Menlo Park’s Interactive Water Provider Map, and input your address.

Are these meters more accurate?

Yes, these new meters are more accurate. A large percentage of Menlo Park Municipal Water’s existing meters are more than 20 years old and at the end of their useful life (mechanical parts wear down over time and meters become less accurate). Old water meters tend to record less water use, so after meter replacement, your water bill may increase due to more accurate readings.

When will my meter be upgraded?

In June 2024, the AMI installation will start in the bayfront area which contains the majority of our high volume commercial water users. Then Concord Utility Services will move west to Belle Haven, the Willows and finish the project with the Sharon Heights neighborhood. 

You will receive a postcard in the mail within two to three weeks of your scheduled installation date. You do not need to be present or have an appointment for the installation.

Visit this interactive AMI Installation Map for an estimated timeframe for when your address is scheduled for installation.

Can I schedule an appointment for my meter replacement/retrofit?

For efficiency, the City plans to replace/retrofit water meters by meter read routes. In special circumstances (i.e., a water meter cannot be accessed or a business requires water 24/7) the City will notify that customer directly to arrange a date/time. If you are a business and require water 24/7, please notify us at water@menlopark.gov or 650-330-6750.

Will my water bill look the same?

The AMI project will not affect the look of your water bill and does not affect set water fees and rates.

What happens after I receive a new meter?

After receiving a new meter, your water may briefly contain discolored water, air pockets, or sediment. This is normal and can be remedied by flushing your lines. Turn on your bathtub’s cold water faucet, or use an outside faucet to flush water. Avoid flushing from faucets that have aerator attachments or from hot water faucets that may draw sediment into your hot water tank. If you decide to flush your water lines, you can capture and repurpose that water to irrigate your plants.

Will my personal information be secure?

Only water consumption data and meter numbers will be transmitted by the meters. All meter data is encrypted at the meter and remains encrypted throughout the entire communications path until it is inserted into the City’s database, safely inside the City’s customer firewall. The City maintains the confidentiality of customer information in accordance with standard privacy policies. 

Do I need to be concerned about exposure to radio frequency from my new meter?

Exposure to radio frequency from an AMI-compatible meter has been shown to be far below federal limits and is lower than the exposure caused by cell phones and laptops. In addition, the meters will transmit meter reads no more than 24 times a day, with each transmission lasting around 1 second. All equipment operates in compliance with state and federal communication standards.

How can I access the hourly water consumption data provided by the new AMI meters?

Hourly water usage is not currently available. The data collected by the new AMI meters will be made available after the project is completed. Customers will be notified on how to view and access their data and set leak and high usage alerts.

Can I opt out of receiving an AMI water meter?

No, the replacement or retrofit of all water meters to AMI is mandatory. This replacement is part of a mandatory program to comply with local regulations aimed at improving water management and conservation efforts in our community.

While we understand that our customers may have concerns with the new meters, rest assured, the meters only collect data on water usage and do not store or transmit any personal information. They meet all safety standards and have been tested to ensure they pose no health risks.

Additionally, the new water meters will provide you with more accurate, hourly readings, ensuring you are billed correctly for your water usage. It also has the capability to detect leaks early, which can prevent costly water damage to your property.

Contact info

Scott Jaw

AMI Project Manager

Email

650-330-6694

City of Menlo Park

 Email

650-330-6750

Emergencies

Mon–Thu, 7:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.

Fri, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00  p.m; Closed every other Friday(PDF, 104KB)

650-330-6780

After-hours or weekends

650-330-6300