Water Meters

Locate your water meter (usually by your hot water tank in your furnace room). Open the small tab on the cover by pulling up on the tab.

NOTE: You may need a flashlight to see the LCD to read the number and look for symbols. Take a photo with your cell-phone for easier reference.

There are 9 digits on the Sensus iPERL digital display. 

The image shows us 0003.5746 meaning 3.5746 cubic meters (m3) or 3,574.6 liters.
NOTE: Your Utility Bill only goes down to liters so disregard the last number on the meter face when comparing your meter reading with your Utility Bill (the last number is 100s of milliliters used for leak detection or water tests).

There may be a + symbol under the numbers in the middle to denote there is water running through the meter currently. If you are not running water, this shows you have a leak and water is running somewhere in the home.

For the Safety of Homeowners, Contractors, and Town Employees, the Town is recommending that all water meters for mobile homes be moved inside. 

The crawl space under a mobile home has many hazards which could be dangerous to any person who is required to work in the area. For this reason, the Town is recommending that all water meters currently located within the crawl space of a mobile home be moved to a location within the building. There is no urgency as the quality of the water is safe and the meter is still functioning properly, however during your next scheduled plumbing maintenance it should be discussed with your contractor.

Benefits to having your meter inside your home:

1.       Meter Freeze-Ups are extremely rare

2.       Heat Tape can be installed more efficiently without going around a meter

3.       You can read the meter as needed (to verify readings, confirm leaks, etc.)

4.       Reduces the risk of needing to enter the crawl space

If you have questions about your meter or wish to coordinate a meter move with your contractor of choice, contact the Utility Department at 403-934-3133

Why does my current water meter need to be replaced?

New meters have water indicators making it easier for the homeowner to detect leaks. They are also easier for the customer to read. These new meters not only have better flow, but they also have water usage backup stored on the meter via battery. These new meters are able to detect leaks at much smaller increments allowing the homeowner to catch their leaks sooner before they get out of hand!

Is this a smart meter?

This is not a smart meter. We rely on a battery to record hourly usage, to store alerts every four hours and then to deliver a radio-frequency alert signal once a day to the office.

Who is installing the meters?

Your Town of Strathmore Utility Operator will be tasked with changing out your water meter. They have received training from the manufacturer and hold several applicable certificates. Your Utility Operator will be wearing a uniform, have photo ID, be in a marked Town of Strathmore vehicle, and have passed a police security clearance.

When do I make my appointment?

You will be contacted by the Town of Strathmore Utility Department either by notice or phone call to book your appointment at a time that is convenient for you.

What happens during the installation?

Typically the new meter and equipment will be installed in a half hour. Water interruption during this time only lasts a few minutes.
Where would my water meter be located?
Most water meters are in the basement where the water line enters the house (just above the main water shut-off valve) and next to the hot water tank and/or furnace.

What should I do to prepare for the service?

Locate and exercise the main water shut off valve. It is typically located on your main water line that comes out of the foundation close to the hot water tank and/or furnace. Ensure the water in your home can be completely turned off using this valve. If you find the flow of water does not stop completely, notify the Utility Department. We can try your curb shutoff prior to the appointment.

Access: Please clear the area of any personal belongings or storage so the installers have full and safe access to complete the work. This area may get wet.

Pets: It is important to have any in-home pets sequestered in a place where their well-being and the safety of the installer will not be of issue.

NOTE: We require that someone 14 years or older be home at the time of the appointment.

My shut-off valve doesn’t work, how will the installer turn the water off?

The Utility Operator has all the tools and experience required to stop the flow of water and install the new water meter at the time of your appointment. In some more challenging cases, however, a return visit may be required.

I’ve heard meters need to be calibrated?

Minerals scale mechanical meters and scale the walls of the water meter. Much like an automobile, water meters work worse with age and contribute to water loss. While the new magnetic meters work better at tracking smaller increments, they still will need to be changed out when the water loss becomes to great. Our water meters DO NOT need to be calibrated. Before the water loss becomes too great, we change out the water meter.

A final note on water loss.

Water loss exists in every municipality; there simply is no “magic way” of recording every drop of water. While the magnet system is a vast improvement over the mechanical system, water loss will still occur. Water loss in a municipality effects all residents. It increases services, water rates and effects the budgets of other departments tasked with infrastructure upgrades, repairs and projects.

Be mindful of how you use water! Visit the Town website for the current water rate and compare your day-to-day usage with your water meter to figure out how much water you use. Share this information with your family and encourage everyone to conserve water.