City of Amarillo, TX

The water meter upgrade project is wholly or partially funded with a $29.5 million loan (with a $1 million loan forgiveness) from the State Revolving Fund through the EPA. The state agency administering the State Revolving Fund program is the Texas Water Development Board.

You may hear us talk about Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI, when referring to the new meters. This is the latest technology, which collects water usage data from water meters remotely through receivers we install throughout the city. Each meter is a smart meter that sends data to our database multiple times a day.

All current water meter staffing will be maintained at the current levels but staff will be utilized for other critical drinking water functions.

The new digital meters will provide the highest level of accuracy of your home’s water use, and you will in the future have more access to your data. 

The City of Amarillo requests that all residents take the following actions to prepare for meter installation.

• Remove objects and vehicles that may obstruct access to the water meter.
• If the meter is located within a fenced area that contains animals, secure the animals.
• Refrain from using water during installation.

The installer, Utiliuse, will contact each business’s management to schedule an appointment for the installation of the digital water meter to limit the impact of water service disruption. While some business water meters may be outside, some are located inside the building so the installer will need access to the inside of the business. Installation needs will be assessed for each business and reviewed with management prior to the work being completed.

There is the potential that water usage was not fully registering on your old meter. Older meters lose accuracy as they age. All new meters are tested to ensure they meet American Waterworks Association guidelines and specs to ensure the highest level of accuracy.

If you are concerned with an increase in the registered consumption noted on your bill, contact the city at 806-378-3030 or waterbill@amarillo.gov.

When you see the yard signs in your neighborhoods and alleys announcing the installation, work will be completed within a week.

After your digital meter is installed, your next bill will show water consumption readings from both meters — one from the old meter that was removed and one from the newly installed digital meter.

We will photograph your old meter’s reading when it is disconnected to ensure our records are accurate.

There will be no changes to your billing schedule.

You may notice minor increases on your Utility Bill. On October 1, 2023, the City Council approved rate increases unrelated to the water meter upgrade project to assist in the maintenance and improvement of services.

• If you have a typical residential water meter (5/8” or 1”) and base usage, your rates have remained the same.
  
  
• Customers with larger meter sizes and those with tiered usage will experience a six percent increase in their water and sewer rates to cover increased operation costs.
  
  
• A $1.58 per month increase was introduced for typical residential drainage rates. This increase is dedicated to funding much needed drainage capital projects and increased operation costs.
  
  
• In addition, a $1.70 per month increase was introduced for single-family residential trash service rates. This increase is dedicated to funding a dumpster replacement program and to cover increased operation costs.

Data from the meters is encrypted and sent through a safe and secure network to the utility databases. The meter system transmits only the water meter readings, the meter identification number, and diagnostic information to verify that the automated meter equipment is operating correctly. Only key authorized utility personnel, such as customer service representatives, can access your account, if necessary.

The City of Amarillo hired Utiliuse as the contractor to replace meters. You can identify the contractors by the Utiliuse name and logo on their shirts, vehicles, and badges.

Download this PDF for more details about the identification requirements for Utiliuse personnel.

Since water meters are outdoors, you may not even notice the installers. Utiliuse installers will remove the existing water meter and install the new digital meter. The installation should be completed in approximately 20-30 minutes.