Advanced Metering Infrastructure

California American Water will soon be replacing your water meter with a new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter as part of the company’s routine meter replacement program, which is based on the age of the meter.

This upgrade is part of our commitment to improving efficiency and does not come with an additional monthly fee. If you choose to opt out, further action is required (see below) and a monthly fee will be charged.

AMI meters provide more detailed usage data and can be a meaningful water-efficiency tool. The technology measures detailed information about water usage at your property, providing our customer service representatives with information to better address your water-use concerns. In addition, it will enable us to provide you notifications of possible leaks, near real-time meter readings, and it will streamline our meterreading processes that will allow us to deliver accurate water bills more efficiently. California American Water is currently exploring the best way to share the usage data with customers. Customers will be notified when the information is available.

Customers may choose to continue to have a traditional water meter read manually by enrolling in our Opt-Out Program. To opt out of having an AMI meter, please contact us by calling 888-237-1333. Please have your account number handy as you will be asked for it. Opt-out requests must be made by the customer of record (the person whose name is on your bill).

There is no cost of having an AMI meter. However, customers who opt out and decide against having AMI meters will be charged a $13 per month fee as well as a $70 initial fee going forward to cover the cost of employees manually reading the meter.

Thank you for your cooperation during the installation process. For more information about the meter replacement program or the opt-out process, please call our Customer Service Center at 888-237-1333 or visit our website at californiaamwater.com.

Advantages of AMI

AMI meters provide more detailed usage data and can be a meaningful water-efficiency tool. The technology measures detailed information about water usage at your property, providing our customer service representatives with information to better address your water-use concerns. In addition, it will enable us to provide you notifications of possible leaks, near real-time meter readings, and it will streamline our meter-reading processes that will allow us to deliver accurate water bills more efficiently. California American Water is currently exploring the best way to share the usage data with customers. Customers will be notified when the information is available.

Additional information on AMI Smart Meters

Note that AMR/AMI devices also are significantly different from many consumer devices such as cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and microwave ovens.

RF power levels of AMR/AMI devices are very low

Transmit times are extremely short (less than one second) and occur occasionally throughout the day.

Human proximity to the devices is limited, with these devices being typically installed outside, compared to a cell phone in contact with the user’s head.

Badger Meter’s AMR/AMI devices, as well as all wireless communications devices that are sold in the US are required to meet minimum guidelines for safe human exposure to radio frequency energy. In addition, federal health and safety agencies including the EPA, FDA, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) consistently monitor and regulate RF safety. Badger Meter’s products are carefully evaluated and meet all exposure limits and standards specified by these agencies.