Heads Up--Toronto Water Meter Issues

[backmarkerducati]

Apparently the transmission units are failing so the city cannot read many, many, many water meters.

The first issue is potentially delayed bills which means you may get a future huge bill as it covers multiple bills they couldn't read/send. People cry about this one but they are not over charging, they just skipped bills and then hit you with the total later.

The one that could really suck, you have a new leak you don't know about and now it goes on way longer (more $$$$) as you can't notice it on the bills your not getting!

Thousands of Toronto utility bills impacted due to failing water meter transmission units

The City of Toronto will be replacing all of its water meter transmission units (MTU) after roughly 141,000 devices unexpectedly failed, causing some customers to receive utility bills that are double or even triple what they’re used to paying.

www.cp24.com

Take a look at when you paid the last water bill, set the money aside if the next one does not come on time. Maybe check your meter when not using any water to make sure....

 

[TwistedKestrel]

I saw someone on Reddit complain that the city installed sealed units with non-serviceable batteries, and that this was basically inevitable. My question is, what did the city's service plan look like for these things? Surely they must have had one, if the units are battery powered...

 

[GreyGhost]

I saw someone on Reddit complain that the city installed sealed units with non-serviceable batteries, and that this was basically inevitable. My question is, what did the city's service plan look like for these things? Surely they must have had one, if the units are battery powered...

I have never seen a water meter serviced. Apparently these are under warranty. Hopefully that is parts plus labour, not just parts as accessing every meter takes a lot of time.

I'm outside toronto but ours was replaced a few years ago. Existing meter was about 15 years old. Municipality was replacing all meters and adding an expansion tank. Presumably that means there is a check valve in the system. Nothing obvious, maybe in the meter? New meter didn't have an obvious display but you could flip open the lid and get some information from a crappy screen within. I prefer the analog spinning wheel as a visual reference. Old transmission infrastructure clipped onto new meter. I'm not sure if the connection was copper to copper or if it is an optical/rf connection.