Smart Meter Changeout Project for North Austin MUD #1
North Austin MUD #1 will begin the installation of smart water meters for residential and commercial properties beginning the week of April 14th. The project is expected to last 60 days.
Why is North Austin MUD #1 making this change?
- Outdated Infrastructure: The current water meters are over a decade old, leading to inefficiencies, including undetectable leaks causing thousands of gallons of water loss monthly. Several of these meters are also beyond the meter manufacturers recommended timeframe for replacement of 10 years or 1 million gallons registered.
- Improved Accuracy: The smart water meters provide near real-time data, allowing the MUD to better document system demand and accurately assess water usage.
- Real-Time Data Access: Residents will have access to their water usage data in near real-time through an app and web portal, allowing for better monitoring of consumption and promoting water conservation. Once the project is completed, the
- Leak Detection: The new meters will provide better accuracy and can identify leaks quickly helping to conserve water and reduce waste. Customers will be able to download meter information and review hourly consumption as well as setup leak alerts for themselves
- Contractor: Tameka Group, a contractor specializing in smart meter installation, will handle the installation process. They are highly experienced in automated meter conversions across the nation.
- Procedure: Installation will involve replacing the water meter in the meter box on the property. In some cases, based on the type of meter box, Tameka will also be replacing the water meter box and/or lid. Residents will be informed through door hangers about any service interruptions, and the contractor will attempt personal contact prior to beginning of the meter changeout.
- Water Service Interruptions: Water service will be temporarily interrupted for approximately 15-30 minutes during the installation. In case of unforeseen issues, there may be delays, but every effort will be made to minimize disruptions. The project will be broken into 5 phases (4 residential and 1 commercial) and work will include multiple streets during each phase.
- Cost: Residents will not be charged for the meter replacement. The District is funding this project with reserves.
- Radio Frequency Use: The smart meters use low-frequency radio waves to transmit data to the base station located off Dallas Drive and then to the utility billing system. All communications equipment complies with federal licensing requirements and is considered safe.
- Data Security: The meter display will remain visible to customers for monitoring consumption, while other stored data, such as usage and location, will be securely stored within the meter. No personal customer billing information is stored in the meters.
This upgrade will help North Austin MUD #1 improve water management, conserve resources, and provide better service to residents while maintaining data security and safety standards. For questions or concerns, email our customer service team at customerservice@crossroadsus.com
Installation Schedule
CLICK HERE for the Phase 2 List of Streets (beginning 5/9/25 – expected to take 3 weeks
FAQs
- Will I be notified in advance of the meter changeout for my home? The MUD will maintain a list of streets currently within project phase on this main water meter project page. Since multiple crews will be working on meter changeouts concurrently, we have broken up the projects into 4 residential phases and 1 commercial replacement phase. The utility crews will knock on your door and place a door hanger when they arrive to change the meter. This is to avoid interruptions in the home.
2. What if i am not at home during the changeout? This is ok. The work is done entirely at the street and we do not need customer involvement. The crews will flush the water line after installation to remove any debris that may have inadvertently been flushed into the line during the replacement project.
3. When the install is complete for my home, when will I have access to the smart meter information? We will release login information to Allegro’s system for your water meter once the entire project is completed. We appreciate your patience. We want to ensure everyone has access before we release login information to the whole community.
4. Will this changeout effect anything related to my billing account? No. This project is intended only to replace the water meter with a new meter body and register.
5. Where can I find out more about the water meter? A helpful video on the Allegro AMI system can be found here . Info on the bottom load multi jet meter can be found here
6. What if I notice air in my lines following the changeout? Some air and small debris may be present after the meter is replaced. By flushing your faucet, it should clear up quickly. The utility crew will be flushing each line after installation as well.
7. Why is the MUD changing some of the lids and meter boxes? The District will be replacing several hundred boxes and lids that are damaged or are of a material that will not easily allow the transmission of radio frequency with the new metering system.
8. What kind of data can I access on my meter? The meter will store and record usage (gpm) on an hourly basis. The transmission of data will occur once daily.
9. How is North Austin MUD paying for this project? Are my rates going up? This project was funded with the District’s reserve fund budget. The District has set aside $2,000,000 for this project in a fund built over several years. The project is fully funded with these reserves There will be no surcharge or additional cost to you for this meter project.
10. How will the bill be calculated with this new system? The MUD’s utility operator, will download the reading on a set schedule every 30 days and compute water consumption and bill you per 1,000 gallons. There will be no meter reading technician that reads the meter in person. Each customer will have access through their Allegro portal to the same read information utilized to bill you each month.
11. Who is performing the work? The project is managed by HydroPro Solutions and the meter install company is Tameka Group
12. Who can I contact for more information or if i have a concern, complaint or question?
You can contact us at 512-246-1400 or customerservice@crossroadsus.com