Water Meter Replacement Project

Installation of New Meters

Beginning in October 2024, the City of Boynton Beach will be replacing approximately 23,000 water meters for both residential and business customers as part of an effort to ensure efficient delivery of safe, high-quality water to the residents we serve.

The new meters will provide more accurate billing information, overall improved service and utilities operational savings as part of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). This state-of-the-art technology delivers water usage data in real time and detects leaks and continuous water use immediately, leading to a faster response time and an increase in consumer satisfaction. The current meters have already been part of the AMI system since 2005 but are an older version meter and will be replaced with the new Sensus iPearl meter. These high-performance smart water meters are designed to provide accurate readings over a 15-year service life.

Benefits of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

• Real time reporting of water usage
• Quickly identify excessive water use 
• Quick detection of water leaks
• Improved Billing Accuracy
• State-of-the-art Equipment

How Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Works

The data from the meters is encrypted and sent through a secure network to utility databases. The meter system transmits only the water meter readings, the meter identification number, and diagnostic information to verify that the automated meter equipment is operating correctly. Only authorized utility personnel, such as customer service representatives, can access your account if needed. 

Meter Replacement Plan

The installation of the new meter will commence in October 2024 and is expected to be finished within 36 months. The new meter installations will start with the oldest or least accurate meters first and then proceed neighborhood by neighborhood based on a combination of age, accuracy, and the timing of your bill cycle.

Meter Replacement Vendor

The Utility Department has partnered with Vepo Solutions, LLC, to replace the water meters that have reached the end of their life. Vepo meter installers will have car magnets on their vehicles and a city-issued badge indicating they are a vendor working for the City of Boynton Beach. These vendors will never need to enter your home. 

What to Expect

The water will be shut off for approximately 30 minutes during the water meter replacement. The Vepo installer will knock on the door before conducting the replacement. If there is no answer and the current meter is not showing water in use, they will replace your meter. If the current meter is reading water usage, the contractor will bypass your home, and the replacement will be scheduled for another day.

After replacing the meter, the contractor will flush your line at an outside hose spigot to remove air and debris. A notice will be left on your door to inform you that the meter has been replaced. The city advises homeowners or businesses to run water for one minute, and no further action is required.

Once your meter is replaced, you may notice changes in your monthly bill, as your water usage will be more accurately reflected through the AMI technology. If you have any questions about your water usage or bill, please contact our Utility Customer Service team at 561-742-6300, option 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my monthly water bill go up?

• Possibly.  Older meters can lose accuracy as they age and may not measure all the water going through them. The new water meter will accurately measure the water that you use. The manufacturer tests all new meters before delivery to ensure that they register properly. If you notice a higher bill immediately after the new meter installation, it's likely that the old meter was running slow. If you have any questions about your bill, please contact our Utility Customer Relations Division at 561-742-6300, option 1.

Do I need to be home during the meter replacement?

• No. Since the water meters are located outside of the home, usually in the right-a-way, you will not need to be home for the replacement work. However, if your water meter happens to be accessed from your back yard or inside a locked fence, your property will be skipped and you will be contacted by phone to schedule an appointment. If we do not have a current phone number on file, we will leave a door hanger at your property. If you would like to contact us to schedule an appointment for meter replacement, please call us at 561-742-6300, option 1 to request an appointment. 

When will my meter be replaced?

• Meter installations will start with the oldest or least accurate meters first, and then proceed neighborhood by neighborhood on an ongoing basis. This will be based on a combination of the meter's age and accuracy, as well as the timing of your bill receipt. If your bill has been estimated, it's likely that your meter is high on the list for replacement. Letters have been sent to those on the priority list. Unfortunately, we cannot provide an exact date at this time. Once the priority meters are replaced and we begin the neighborhood-by-neighborhood changes, we will update our website with the schedule. For further information, please contact our Meter Reading & Service team at 561-742-6400, option 3.

How will I know once my meter was replaced?

• Our installers will leave a door hanger for any successful installation. 

What happens if I have a problem after installation?

• If you experience a leak, low pressure, or any other issues after the installation, please contact our vendor, Vepo Solutions, directly at 877-860-8376 or via email at info@vepometering.com. The Vepo team monitors these contacts on business days from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm, and on Saturdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm. You can also reach the Utility at 561-742-6400, option 3. For after-hours assistance, please contact us at 561-742-6430. 
• Since your water will be temporarily turned off during the meter change process, you may encounter a brief period of air or discolored water. We recommend flushing one of your faucets for a full minute before contacting us to resolve the issue.

How can I check if I have a leak?

Please follow these steps to check for water leaks at your home: 

1. Ensure that all water fixtures in your home, including automatic water use fixtures such as irrigation systems or ice makers, are not in use. 
2. Use pliers or a large flathead screwdriver to open the meter box lid outside your home. Be cautious of the wires inside the meter box to avoid damaging them. You may need to clean out any debris inside the box to locate the meter. 
3. Once you can see the meter, open and close the lid until the display lights up, and write down the meter reading. 
4. Wait for 15 minutes and then recheck the meter reading. If the numbers remain the same, there is no leak. However, if the value changes while no water is being used, this could indicate a leak or that a fixture is using water. 
5.  You can also check for leaks by observing the leak detector. On the iPearl meter, there is a small circle next to the abbreviation "Gal." A plus sign (+) appearing in the circle's center indicates water movement through the meter.

1. With all the water turned off, there should be no plus sign inside the circle of the iPearl meter. If the leak indicators show water movement, you likely have a leak. 
2. Our Customer Service Team can also assist by checking the AMI system for continuous consumption, which may indicate a leak. For assistance, call 561-742-6300, option 1.

Some common places to look for leaks include:

• Toilet a faulty flapper, fill valve not shutting off causing overflow, tank or fill line leaking
• Water heater at the base, relief valve, or connections
• Faucets dripping, faulty washers
• Ice makers
• Cracked water line, inside the house or under slab, between meter box and house, or to any outbuildings
• Water Softener
• Dishwasher valve leaking or not properly shutting off
• Swimming pools, fountains, or other water features