Show All Answers

1. Will I be charged for this upgrade?

No. All meters being upgraded will be done so at no direct charge to the homeowner. All costs associated with this upgrade including installation are being entirely funded through the low interest loan that the Township received through the DWRF program. Repayment of this loan will be made with revenues received through regular usage fees, as well as Principal Forgiveness from the Federal Government.

2. What is a fixed-base network?

A fixed-base water meter network is one that sends water meter data back to a central collection point wirelessly, eliminating the need for water department employees to enter onto private property to take water meter readings.

3. What kind of meters will be installed?

Waterford Township has been working with Neptune Technology Group to install Neptune’s “E-Coder” smart meters with their R-450 meter readers for several years. Due to the success of this program, we are expanding the use of Neptune’s E-Coder meters and R-450 readers.

4. Will everyone be receiving a new meter?

The meter change out program is geared toward residential customers. This includes customers with 5/8-inch meters. If you have already received the upgrade (from 2008 forward), then this program would not include you.

5. What are the advantages of the new meters and readers?

There are a multitude of advantages to new meters and readers. First, the new meters are more accurate than the existing meters currently in the Township. As meters age, moving parts within the meter casing begin to deteriorate and wear out, forcing the need for replacement. Also, the new meters being installed read at a higher resolution than most existing meters. This higher resolution permits leak detection and other customer service benefits unavailable by conventional and older style analog meters.

Another advantage to the new system is that the new meters have the ability to detect unusually high or abnormal flows. These are usually indications of leaks in a homeowner’s water system. Oftentimes, toilets and water softeners can run excessively without a homeowner knowing it, resulting in a higher quarterly bill than intended. The new meters give the DPW the ability to detect higher than average flows and assist a homeowner in troubleshooting maintenance issues. The homeowner can also look at the register head and if they see a faucet icon (which indicates a leak), they can proactively fix the problem with their home water system.

Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the new remote readers send meter reading data back to the DPW via radio frequency, thus eliminating the need for DPW employees to enter onto private property to take meter readings. Additionally, with the remote reading capabilities, the DPW can read up-to-the-minute flow data to help a homeowner detect unusually high flows without sending an employee to the home, which aids in leak detection.

6. What kind of data will be sent out from my new meter?

The new meters will send primarily flow data back to the DPW, as well as any alarms, such as leak detection or reverse flow.

7. Do I need to make an appointment with Vanguard Utility Service, Inc. to have my new meter installed?

Yes. Vanguard Utility Service, Inc. will attempt to contact you to schedule an appointment to have your meter changed. If you would like, you can visit Vanguard’s website or contact them at 248-821-1348 to schedule an appointment. You do need to be home for this appointment. The contractor will ask you to verify the outgoing meter read on the old meter and that a clean and neat job was performed. Visit
Vanguard's website for more information.