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WaterSmart Meter Program
Bringing Smart Technology to Water Meters
The City of Oceanside is improving all water customer meters by installing new WaterSmart meters. This exciting modern technology is part of the City’s continuing efforts to enhance customer service, conserve water, replace aging infrastructure, be more efficient and reduce the environmental impact of our operations.
Currently, water meters are manually read by City of Oceanside staff once a month to obtain customer water use readings. The new WaterSmart meters provide remote updates on an hourly basis. Customers will have 24/7 access to this near real-time data, allowing you to view your water usage at any time and monitor use to more quickly identify the possibility of leaks and opportunities to reduce your water usage. This will also provide increased billing transparency to all our customers.
Smart meters have been used for decades in California and other western states. Additionally, SDGE has used smart meters in Oceanside since 2010 for its electric and gas services.
The water meter measures the amount of water used over a one-hour period. It is impossible to know what water is being used for or the exact time of the use. The hourly data is a tool customers can use to better understand how they use water throughout the day, help identify leaks and prevent unforeseen high water bills.
You’ll be happy to know that your water use is private and secure. Here are the ways we assure your privacy.
- City staff does not actively monitor the amount, time or volume of any customer’s water use.
- City staff will only review or investigate a customer’s water use account if requested by the customer.
- Water use information is not shared outside the City, including the state or any other agency/organization.
- The water use data registered by the WaterSmart meter is 1) encrypted and 2) includes a unique meter number and no identifying customer information. Both measures protect data from external entities and threats.
- Customers may access their water use online using the WaterSmart portal which requires a private password the customer creates.
Water at a home or business can only be turned off in person. The WaterSmart meter does not have the ability to turn off water or adjust the flow of water coming through the meter.
Virtual Webinar/Workshop
When the next webinar is scheduled, it will be posted here.
Other virtual community workshops were held 2021, 2022 and 2023 to provide WaterSmart meter questions. These workshops were recorded and are available on the City’s YouTube channel. Links to the most recent workshops are posted below to view at your convenience. Additional virtual community workshops will be held until the end of the project.
Previously Recorded Virtual Workshops – linked below for your convenience
Notifying Customers of Installation
Customers will receive a notice before an installation occurs describing the project, what to expect and who to contact for more information. To receive an email notification, please sign up for WaterSmart now to receive updates on their installation schedule. All properties will be informed with a door notice prior to installation and after the upgrade has occurred.
Making it Easy to Track Water Use
The City offers a free online water management tool called WaterSmart. Water customers can track and view their water use via internet or a smartphone app, sign up for leak detection alerts and much more by enrolling in the City’s customer WaterSmart portal. Customers don’t have to wait for their WaterSmart meters to be installed to sign up for WaterSmart. Sign up today!
What Customers Get
The combination of WaterSmart meters and the WaterSmart management tool provides a powerful resource to water customers with these benefits:
- 24/7 Access
- Near Real Time Water Use Monitoring
- Review Water Use Trends
- Receive Potential Leak Alerts
- Avoid Unintentional High Water Consumption
- Access Water Saving Rebates
- Learn About Water Efficiency Programs
Installation Timing
The multi-year project began installing WaterSmart meters in spring 2021. Project completion is expected in 2023. More than 44,000 WaterSmart meters will be installed throughout the City.
Installation will occur in phases and customers will be informed before work begins at their location. The city plans to provide a schedule of installation on this webpage once it is available from the installer.
Questions and Opting Out
Staff are available at (760) 435-4570 to answer your questions. If you would like to opt out from receiving a WaterSmart meter please print, fill out and return this form as directed.
Informational Materials
