Regina’s city council has voted to have new automated water meters installed at every business and home in the City.

The metres will help customers with up-to-date data on their water consumption, allowing them to detect water leaks and manage their water usage.

The metres will also help the City reach their goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. It will achieve this by eliminating the need for city vehicles to drive around collecting readings, saving an estimated 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Installation of the new meters is set to begin this month and be completed by spring 2025. Neptune Technology Group has been contracted to install meters over the next three years and will continue to provide the technology from 2022 to 2044.

According to the City, a technician from Neptune will upgrade the meters, which are generally located inside the lowest level of a building. The technician will install a transmitter outside the building, typically near other utility access points.

The installation crews will progress through the city one area at a time, as determined by the current water billing cycle and ward boundaries.

Residents will receive an introductory letter from the City introducing the project and Neptune. Residents will then receive a booklet from Neptune that outlines the instructions for booking and preparing for an installation appointment.

Residents are encouraged to book an appointment with Neptune and will be contacted up to five times via letter, door hanger and calls to ensure appointments are made.

If residents do not book an appointment after the fifth attempt by Neptune, the address will be provided to the City for follow-up.

The City will provide a letter and call the resident to make an appointment. Suppose no attempt by the resident is made to book an appointment. In that case, the City will proceed with a water service disruption after eight attempts to contact the resident and approximately two months of effort.

The project is expected to cost $42.5 million over five years, already in the City’s 2022 budget, with $10 million designated for the year.