Upgrading our water system with Smart Meters

A smart meter is a modern water meter that automatically records and securely sends water use data to both Marin Water and customers through the EyeOnWater portal. Unlike traditional water meters, which must be read manually, smart meters provide more timely water use information that can help improve operations, identify leaks sooner and give customers better visibility into their water use.

Yes. Smart meters are one part of a larger Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system. AMI includes the meter itself, the secure communication network that transmits water use information, and the customer tools and utility systems that help track and manage that data.

Yes. Smart metering technology has been used by water utilities across California and throughout the United States for many years. Many water agencies, including several in the North and greater Bay Area, already use, or are in the process of transitioning to, smart meters as part of a broader effort to improve water management and system operations, support leak detection and strengthen long-term water supply planning.  

No. Marin Water will plan meter upgrades by neighborhood area, providing advance notice to customers before work begins. Once you’ve received notice, please ensure a clear path to and around the meter box, so staff can access and upgrade the meter. 

When Marin Water staff conduct the meter replacement at your home or business, water will be temporarily turned off. This temporary shutoff will last fewer than 30 minutes unless otherwise communicated.  

Following the meter upgrade, you may notice slight water discoloration or air in your pipes. Your water remains safe and continues to meet or exceed all state and federal drinking water standards. To clear any residual air or discoloration, run cold water from a fixture for about 30 seconds. If the fixture has a filter or screen attachment, remove it before flushing. 

Once the meter is replaced, Marin Water staff will leave a door hanger with information on how to access your account’s water use data via the Eye on Water portal. Please note: It may take up to 10 days for your new account and water use data to become available in EyeOnWater. 

Marin Water will roll out smart meters in phases over the next several years, focusing on complete neighborhood routes and prioritizing older meters first. This phased approach helps make the transition as efficient as possible while minimizing disruption to customers. Customers will be notified by mail in advance when Marin Water is preparing to begin smart meter installations in their area.  

Upgrading nearly 60,000 water meters across Marin Water’s service area is a large, long-term infrastructure project and will take time to complete. To help manage costs and maintain flexibility over the life of the project, Marin Water will complete the smart meter rollout in phases using District staff. This approach avoids the higher upfront costs associated with a contractor-led installation completed over a much shorter timeframe. The phased rollout builds on Marin Water’s existing meter replacement efforts, allowing the District to expand smart meter installations efficiently over time.

Yes. The Flume Smart Home Water Monitor, which is offered at a discount for Marin Water customers, is compatible with most of the smart meters being installed.  

While both systems can help customers monitor water use and detect leaks, they serve different purposes. Marin Water’s smart meter system is District-owned and maintained, supports water billing and gives customer access to water use information through the EyeOnWater portal. Flume is a customer-installed device that connects to your home Wi-Fi and provides an additional and even more granular way to monitor water use. 

Unlike Flume, Marin Water’s smart meter system does not require customer maintenance or rely on your home or business internet connection to operate.  

Marin Water encourages customers to receive the smart meter upgrade so they can take advantage of benefits like near real-time water use information, leak alerts and improved visibility into their water use. These tools can help better track unusually high usage so leaks can be identified and repaired sooner, which can help prevent costly property damage. They can also help customers better understand their water use patterns, and potentially avoid higher bills caused by unexpected water loss. 

Customers will have the option to opt-out of the smart meter upgrade. Customers who opt-out will not have access to these features and will continue to require manual meter readings. Because manual meter reading requires additional staff time and resources, customers who opt-out may be subject to additional fees. Marin Water is currently developing its formal opt-out policy, including any associated fees, and will publish more information once it becomes available.  

No. There is no separate charge to customers for the smart meter installation.  

The service-area-wide smart meter upgrade is part of Marin Water’s long-term Capital Improvement Program and is funded through the District’s existing capital budget, which supports infrastructure upgrades and system improvements over time.  

The total estimated 15-year life-cycle cost of the upgrade is $21.9 million. This phased, District-led approach is estimated to save $13 million compared with a traditional, outside vendor installation approach.  

No. Installing a smart meter does not change Marin Water’s rates or how your bill is calculated. 

No. Smart meters communicate through a secure utility network and do not rely on your home Wi-Fi or internet connection. However, customers will need internet access to log in and view their water use information through the EyeOnWater customer portal if they want to take advantage of this helpful resource.

Water service will be temporarily shut off while the new smart meter is installed. Most service interruptions are expected to last no more than 30 minutes unless otherwise communicated by Marin Water staff.

Most residential water meters are located outside the home. Because meters are used to monitor the amount of water a customer is using, they are typically located between the home and the water main beneath local roadways.  

Before installation begins in your area, Marin Water will notify customers and request that there be a clear path to and around the meter box. If staff are unable to safely access the meter due to obstructions such as locked gates, landscaping, debris or pets, the installation may need to be rescheduled, and staff will leave behind follow-up information for the property occupant/owner in the event of such circumstances. For more information, refer to District Code 11.32.030 – Right of Access to Consumer’s Premises. 

Customers are strongly encouraged to create an EyeOnWater account, however it is not required to receive a smart meter. Creating an account is the best way to view your water use information, track usage over time and set up leak alerts.

Yes. Marin Water has been evaluating smart metering technology through three pilot programs over the past several years to understand how different technologies perform across our system. 

The largest pilot included approximately 5,500 meters installed between 2018 and 2025  across selected residential and commercial areas throughout the service area, including all dedicated irrigation accounts. This pilot helped Marin Water evaluate meter performance, data accuracy and reliability, and how smart meter data integrates with the District’s billing system and customer-facing tools. 

Additional pilots launched in 2025 are testing alternative data transmission methods in areas with limited cellular coverage, as well as integrated acoustic leak detection technology. 

In total, roughly 6,200 AMI meters and devices have been installed through Marin Water’s pilot programs. 

These pilots helped  shape Marin Water’s broader smart meter rollout, including how the technology can provide customers with more timely water use information, support earlier leak detection, and improve overall system operations. 

No. Smart meters only record water use information, such as the amount of water flowing through the meter and meter status information. They do not collect personal information. Customer water use information is securely transmitted through a private network, never over the public internet, and Marin Water will never sell customer data to third parties.

The District’s smart meters use radio frequency (RF) signals to wirelessly transmit water use data and comply with applicable Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements. The RF signals emitted by these devices are well below the levels of common household devices, such as televisions or cell phones. Under normal operation, the smart meter’s cellular endpoint awakens up to four times per day to transmit water use data, for a total transmission time of just seconds per day — or as little energy as a brief cell phone call.

Additionally, the exposure to radio frequency signals decreases with the square of the distance to the device. This means the farther away anyone is from the device, the less the RF contact. For example, the energy measured two feet away from the device’s cellular endpoint is 1/4 of the energy measured at a distance of one foot. Since smart meters are located outside the home, typically near the property line or adjacent to roadways, the extended distance and material between the endpoint and the individual further reduces contact with RF signals.

The District’s Water Efficiency team is available to help customers better understand their water use information and make the most of the new smart meter tools. Whether you have questions about your water use, need help investigating unusually high usage or leak alerts, or are looking for ways to improve water efficiency, Marin Water’s team is here to help. Contact the Water Efficiency Department at 415.945.1520.