The Marin Water Board of Directors recently approved key components of the District’s long-term transition to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), including a contract for equipment and a phased implementation approach. AMI technology provides near real-time water use information that can support more efficient system operations, earlier leak detection and greater customer insight into water use.  

The Board’s May 26 decision to approve a contract with an outside vendor for equipment, as well as the planned multi-year timeline, is an important step toward rolling out AMI to nearly 60,000 Marin Water customers. Installation of the modernized metering infrastructure is anticipated to begin in August and continue over the next several years as existing water meters throughout the District’s service area are gradually replaced with AMI-enabled meters. 

AMI is a technology used by many water agencies to create a continuous link between the utility provider and its customers via cellular networks or radio frequencies, increasing operational efficiency. The technology provides both the District and its customers with  data that can help detect leaks while giving customers a better understanding of their water use. This information can also help customers make more informed decisions about water use patterns, often leading to reduced usage over time. Because of its ability to support water savings, AMI is an important element of the District’s Integrated Water Supply Roadmap – a long-term, adaptive strategy designed to ensure a reliable, resilient water supply for the communities we serve.  

Through a series of pilot projects, AMI is already part of Marin Water’s metering infrastructure, in place for roughly 5,000 customers. Expanding the program district-wide will take up to eight years to complete. As part of that process, the District will hire limited-term, supplemental employees, as well as tap existing staff to replace aging meters within the system, prioritizing contiguous meter routes and older meters.  

Marin Water will continue to refine rollout details over the coming months. More details, including the schedule of planned meter replacements, will be available later this summer.