Skip Navigation

Modernization of Water Meter Infrastructure in Halton

Breadcrumbs
 

Halton Region is modernizing our water meter infrastructure to provide you with access to even more information on your water usage. This page provides information about our new water meter technology, how it works and how it will be implemented in all residential homes and businesses across the community. You can also sign up to receive regular updates about the project and check out answers to frequently asked questions.

Background: Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) in Halton

Every day, Halton Region delivers high-quality drinking water to homes and businesses across the community. The water meter on your property measures your water use. Water meter readings are used by your local hydro provider to calculate your water bill.

Currently, a meter reader visits your property in person to collect monthly or bi-monthly readings via a touch pad located at your home or business. The touch pad is often located on the outside of your home or business.

Halton is transitioning from this manual water meter reading system to a remote meter reading system called Advanced Metering Infrastructure—or AMI. This secure, modern and reliable technology has been installed in communities across North America, including communities in Ontario.

AMI was approved by Regional Council in June 2018 (external PDF) for installation in all residential properties and businesses in Halton. The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology will modernize water meter infrastructure in the region and make the collection of water meter readings more efficient by allowing for remote meter reading.

Implementation of AMI in Halton

AMI technology will be installed across the region over the next three years.

  • 2023-2024: We will begin with approximately 1,000 homes and businesses based on location, meter type and other factors. If you are part of this first group, you will receive a letter with information and instructions.
  • 2024-2026: We will install the technology across all homes and businesses starting next spring. You will receive further information, including when you will receive the technology, closer to your installation date.

If you receive a letter about AMI installation prior to a sample letter being posted, or have any questions about information received from Halton Region, please email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311.

Benefits of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

Here are some of the benefits of AMI:

  • Track your water usage: You can register for your local hydro provider’s online customer portal to securely access your water use data, meter readings, bills and payments.
  • Prepare for upcoming bills: The portal will also allow you to set up email alerts about changes in your water usage, helping you to conserve water or investigate possible leaks.
A water meter is installed in a customer’s property. As part of AMI, your water meter will be connected to a radio transmitter that will allow for remote meter reading

A water meter is installed on a customer’s property. As part of AMI, your water meter will be connected to a radio transmitter that will allow for remote meter reading

The radio transmitter will be installed in your home or business, and connected to your water meter. The radio transmitter will allow for remote meter reading.

The radio transmitter shown here will typically be installed on the outside of your home or business, and is connected to your water meter. The radio transmitter will allow for remote meter reading.

How AMI works

The water meter and radio transmitter work together to allow for remote meter reading.

  1. Your water meter measures your water usage. The newly installed transmitter encrypts water usage information and sends it via wireless technology to a network of receivers that collect the data. This transmission is done six times daily and takes less than one second.
  2. The data collector relays your water usage to Halton Region’s host software.
  3. Halton Region provides water usage information to your local hydro provider.
  4. Your local hydro provider bills you for your water usage on your utility bill.
  5. Your water usage information will be available through the online customer portal associated with your local hydro provider. You can visit the online portal to help track your household or business's water use.
  6. There will be no change to how you will receive your utility bill from your local hydro provider.

AMI and radio transmitter technology is safe

AMI transmissions take less than one second and are much weaker than those from other common devices, such as microwaves, WIFI routers or cell phones. The technology is safe, similar to electricity meter transmitters and meets all Health Canada guidelines for radio frequency exposure limits.

graphic of the radio frequency levels of the new water meters compared to microwaves, WIFI routers and cell phones

Click to view the image in a larger size

Frequently asked questions

Below are some common questions about the new meter technology. To stay informed on project milestones, you can sign up to receive emails.

This depends on the age and compatibility of your water meter. A transmitter may be installed alone or as part of a water meter replacement.

Homes and businesses will be scheduled to receive the new technology by Municipality and Ward as communities become ready to receive AMI transmitters. It will take approximately 3 years to complete work at all homes and businesses in Halton.

No, the Region will contact you when we are ready to install new meter technology at your property.

If you are selected to be an early adopter, you will receive a formal letter from Halton Region in late 2023 or early 2024. A sample copy of this letter will be posted to this webpage for reference prior to notices being mailed to homes and businesses. If you receive a suspicious message about AMI or need further information, please email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311.

Halton’s AMI system includes data collector units (receiver antennae) installed across the region, as well as radio transmitters installed on water meters.

The antenna sites are located on existing Region-operated properties. These locations:

  • provide full coverage of the entire community;
  • connect directly to the Halton’s Wide Area Network to keep the data secure;
  • minimize costs for ratepayers by eliminating the need for additional land; and
  • ensure easy access for maintenance.

All antenna installations are safe and meet the rigorous health and safety standards set by the Federal Government.

The new meter technology will encrypt your water usage information before sending it to a network of receivers that collect your data. This ensures that all data remains safe and secure. No personal information, such as your name or address, is included; only the meter read and the meter and transmitter numbers are provided. This information will be paired with your billing account information to create your water billing.

All personal information collected by the local hydro company will be used to administer water billing. Water billing activities include sending you utility bills, notices of rate changes and/or discontinuation of services, and disclosure of water account information to registered property owners or collections agencies where the water account is in arrears. The collection of your information is in accordance with sections 11 and 398 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25 and section 39.2 of the Regional Municipality of Halton’s By-law No. 71-19. Questions about the collection of your personal information can be directed to your local utility provider or by calling 311 and asking to speak with Finance.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)(external link) has approved and licensed all AMI equipment installed in Halton Region. This includes the data collector units, which fully comply with ISED standards and guidelines for environmental exposure to radio frequency. The units also meet standards set by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) (external link). The equipment must continue to comply with these limits at all times to maintain the ISED license.

In addition, Halton’s AMI equipment meets Health Canada's Safety Code 6 (external link), which sets limits for safe human exposure to radio frequency energy. This means it is safe for anyone – including small children – to live, work and play near any piece of AMI technology for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Health Canada closely monitors new research on radio frequency and revises its recommendations as needed to protect residents. It also ensures exposure limits are consistent with science-based limits used in other parts of the world, such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

AMI transmissions take less than one second and are much weaker than those from other common devices, such as microwaves, WIFI routers or cell phones. The technology is safe, similar to electricity meter transmitters and meets all Health Canada guidelines for radio frequency exposure limits.

For more information, please visit:

Additional information and related documents

 
 

Sign up for email updates about AMI

First Name *
Last Name *
*

TOP