Water and Sewer Division
Water Meter Replacement Program
Click Here To Schedule Your Water Meter Replacement Appointment
About the Program
The Holden Department of Public Works (DPW) Water & Sewer (W&S) Division is excited to announce that we are now in the beginning phases of a Town wide water meter replacement program. The Town will soon begin replacing approximately 6,500 active water meters with new water meters and new reading devices/transmitters. These new meters and transmitters are part of a new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project that will enhance the efficiency of meter reading and billing.
Why are we replacing water meters?
The purpose of this program is to enhance the efficiency of meter reading, billing and to increase the quality of our customer support. These meter replacements are required as the service life of a typical water meter is 12-15 years. After these ages, meters typically lose accuracy and the battery life of the read transmitter diminishes. Many meters in Town are at, or near, 20 years old.
What are the Benefits?
Along with aging water meters, the Town’s meter reading system is also nearing the end of its useful life. The new AMI reading system will replace the existing “drive by” reading system where Town staff dedicate almost three weeks of every month to read water and electric meters. The AMI system will be able to provide improved meter reading efficiency with the ability to read meters remotely and on demand.
Who is performing the installations?
W&S Division employees will be performing all water meter installations. All W&S Division staff will be dressed in Town of Holden uniforms and driving clearly marked Town of Holden DPW trucks and utility body service trucks, and also have Town issued identification cards available for presentation.
What can I expect from a water meter replacement appointment?
In most cases, the meter replacement is a simple procedure performed by W&S Division staff and will require approximately 1 hour or less to complete. All existing water and sewer subtraction meters will be replaced at no cost to the owner, although there may be additional charges if W&S staff needs to replace the shutoff valve prior to the water meter. The water meter is located inside your home, typically along the basement wall closest to the street. Please be sure that a minimum of a 5-foot radius of space around your water meter is clear and accessible to the W&S Division staff prior to the appointment.
The picture below is an example of the new water meter and AMI transmitter that will be installed in your home.
Below is a picture of a typical water meter found in your home today.
Holden’s Water & Sewer Division of the Department of Public Works is responsible for providing the Town with maintenance to the aging water/sewer infrastructure, transporting and delivering clean drinking water, and finding the most cost effective means of sewage collection/treatment that meets EPA and DEP standards.
The Town of Holden:
- has 108 miles of water main
- more than 1,000 hydrants
- 4 drinking wells and 2 inter-connections with the City of Worcester
- 78 miles of sanitary sewer
- produces more than 480 million gallons of clean water
- has more than 40 different water and sewer pump stations
