City of Regina

2023 Harm Reduction-Follow Up Report

City of Regina

Water Meter Upgrade Project

ood with a street and houses. “If you would like more information about the Water Meter Upgrade Project, or learn water conservation tips, visit our website at Regina dot C-A slash water meter”. Text appears across the screen with a link to Regina.ca/watermeter. *City of Regina outro sound* The Regina logo appears in the middle of the screen. Have questions about the water meter upgrade project? Find answers here! Do I have to pay for the new meter or the installation? There is no charge for the meter or the installation. How will this impact my water bill? The upgrade project will not cause an increase in water utility rates. The cost of the water meter replacement project has already been budgeted in the City’s 5-year capital plan approved in 2023 and will be funded out of the Utility Reserve. However, as older meters tend to under-register the amount of water that is going through them, it is normal that a newer meter will more accurately measure the water passing through it, resulting in the possibility of receiving a higher monthly bill. Can I opt out of the installation? The water meter upgrade is mandatory, and all properties will need to upgrade the infrastructure. Why does it take three years to do this work? With more than 76,000 water meters to be upgraded, the timeline for a project of this size is as expected. For each water meter in service, time is needed for the customer to book an appointment, gain access to every property, as well as enough time for the technicians to complete the work. Why is the project schedule divided by wards and why doesn't it start with Ward 1? The work schedule was developed considering a number of factors such as billing cycles, how neighbourhoods cross ward boundaries and ease of communicating to residents. Many residents are already familiar with the ward boundary system, and it’s easily searchable on thewebsite. Why is my ward showing “Complete”, but I know my meter wasn’n t upgraded yet? The “Complete” status demonstrates a completion rate of 98 per cent or greater of meters upgraded within the ward. However, there may be a few properties that are still considered non-compliant. If that is your property, contact our contractor, Neptune Technology Group to book your upgrade appointment. Who is responsible for booking the upgrade appointment – the landlord or tenant? Information about the water meter upgrade will be sent to water utility customers. I live in a brand-new home (within the last 5 years or so) do I still need this upgrade? Yes. All water meters currently installed in homes and businesses are part of an aging meter reading system that is reaching the end of its lifecycle and due for replacement. What is the difference between this new meter and the old one? Currently, City staff drive around the city to gather digital reads from outside all properties.  The upgraded infrastructure will make that unnecessary. Going forward, the meter from your home will send the water reading to the transmitter wired to the outside, and the transmitter will send that reading to the City. Eliminating the use of meter reading vehicles will result in a reduction of about 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year. What’s the benefit of these new meters for the City? The new meter system will help the City increase efficiency and improve operations through the ability to investigate, diagnose and solve water distribution problems, as well as provide more insight into customer use. How does the meter send information to the radio transmitter on the outside of the house? The meter in the basement is connected to the transmitter attached to the outside of the home through a wire, similar to an internet, cable, doorbell or telephone line. Does the meter constantly send signals to the radio transmitter through Bluetooth? No, the water meter has no wireless signal capability and is not Bluetooth. Information is sent regularly through the fixed wire to the radio transmitter on the outside of the property. Is the radio frequency emitted by the transmitters safe to have near my home? The radio frequency (RF) waves from these meters are lower than what is generated by cellular telephones and other common household appliances like a garage door opener. In addition, they emit for very short times in the day and are well below Health Canada and Industry Canada regulations. What do data collectors look like? The data collectors are like old tv antennas. Some are attached to existing light posts while a majority will be free-standing poles, like flag poles, and can reach a maximum height of 45 ft. What do the data collectors do? Data collectors are a critical component of the system and are how the upgraded meters and transmitters “talk” to the City’s system. The data collectors only transmit water consumption information during scheduled time periods. Will customer information be safe if it's being transmitted wirelessly? The City applies the same privacy protection standards as the metering system that has been running since 2004. Only encrypted meter readings and meter identification are transmitted, not your personal information. The City complies with Saskatchewan's privacy legislation. Is there a risk of meters catching fire? No, there is no risk of fire with the new water meters or radio transmitters as they use a low voltage DC battery source. The units themselves are completely sealed and all external electrical connections will be sealed and insulated. The City’s new meter upgrade project is unrelated to past programs implemented by other utilities. What is the City doing with all the old water meters? All existing meters and equipment will be removed and recycled, and this is part of the contract with Neptune. What will the new online customer service do that the current one can’t? The new online service offers many benefits for customers, including enhanced water consumption information. This can help customers conserve and manage water use, as well as detect water leaks. In addition, improved customer support with timely meter reads and electronic notifications about planned water outages. Post-Installation Inspections It’s important to ensure that Neptune is completing the upgrades according to contract standards. Diameter Services is managing this large three-year contract on the City’s behalf. Diameter is working with Neptune Technology Group who are completing the physical upgrades to all water meters in Regina. Will all properties be inspected? No, not every upgraded meter will be inspected. How will I know if my property will be inspected? Within one week after your installation is complete, a Diameter Inspector may knock on your door and request to do an inspection. How will I identify the Inspectors? Diameter Inspectors will carry both a City of Regina and Diameter ID badge with their photo and name clearly displayed. They will also wear branded uniforms and have a company logo on their vehicle. What should I expect during the inspection visit? The Inspector will visually inspect the newly upgraded water meter in the basement and the transmitter installed on the outside of the property to validate that the work completed by Neptune Technology Group meets the project’s standards. Inspections will require approximately 15 minutes to complete their work. Should any concerns be identified, the Inspector will advise the resident and notify Neptune Technology Group. If necessary, Neptune will book a follow-up appointment with the utility customer to resolve concerns and ensure the consistent standard is met. Who should I contact if I have any concerns? For any concerns regarding the installation, please contact Neptune Technology at the number provided in the letters, on the information sheet, or provided following the installation.

Questions & Answers

2026-05-13 Executive Committee - Full Agenda-5563

City of Regina

Accessible Version Accessibility Plan

City of Regina

Permits

ies Council placard. This permit allows individuals the ability to park up to three hours at any one or two hour parking meter without depositing any coins. Residential/Visitor Parking Permit The City offers Residential/Visitor Parking Permits for residents who live within the parameters of a time-limited parking zone. This permit allows residents the ability to park their vehicle longer than the posted time limits. Residents may purchase visitor parking permits so that guests can park close to home for up to 24 hours. Please visit Parking Permits for more information on fees and how to apply. Sign Permits Portable or Permanent Signs The Regina Zoning Bylaw regulates sign requirements, including type, location, size and height. Portable signs, such as those mounted on a trailer or stand that can be relocated, require an annual permit. Permanent signs such as those affixed to buildings, or free-standing cannot be implemented or altered without a sign permit. For guidelines and application forms, visit our Zoning Bylaw information page. A permit is required to place banners or flags along or over City streets. Banners or flags can only be installed for the following reasons: Promotion or celebration of a special event (must be an event recognized by Tourism Regina) Promotion of designated tourist attractions Promotion of Regina as an attractive place to live in or to visit Only requests from non-profit agencies or promotions of a community event will be considered. Special events that involve fundraising will not be considered. All banners or flags to be mounted on street light poles that belong to SaskPower will be sent in for approval. Banners and/or flags must be supplied by the applicant and designed to meet all City of Regina specifications (ex. 0.6m x 1.2m in size). The brackets for the banners and flags will be supplied and installed by the City. Installation fees apply. To apply Submit your Banners & Flags Permit Application Form through Service Regina a minimum of 30 business days in advance of the installation date. For requests greater than 50 banners and/or flags, the applications must be submitted a minimum of 60 business days in advance. Once all or the required information has been collected by the City, the completed document will be sent to you in care of a signature to validate the application. A returned signed copy will then initiate the installation process. Banners and Flags The City of Regina Film Guidelines include information about the procedures and applications required when filming on City of Regina property. These guidelines have been developed to create a safe and productive environment for the film company and the general public. To apply Submit a completed Film Permit Application Form at least 10 business days prior to filming. When filming, the City can help with: Street Closures: If your shoot will disrupt traffic you will need a Temporary Street Use Permit. Call 306-777-7000 or submit a service request at least 14 days in advance of the requested date. If approved, a permit fee will be applied. Meter Bagging: To reserve a parking meter, call 3 06-777-7000 or submit a service request at least 14 days in advance of the requested date. If approved, a permit fee will be applied. Fire Equipment: Film companies can request the use of fire vehicles and equipment or request a street wet down. Special effects involving the combustion of materials requires a permit from the Regina Fire & Protective Services Department. Use of fire equipment or services must be arranged directly with the Fire Marshal. Call 306-777-7837 or email FAST@regina.ca Regina Police Service Equipment & Services:  For use of Regina Police Service property, such as buildings, cars, or staff, contact the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500.