The City of Toronto has joined a growing list of North American cities working to replace water meter transmission units whose batteries are failing years before their expected end of life.
Toronto will spend $103 million to replace 470,000 of the transmitters — used to ensure automated wireless transmission of water-use data and timely and up-to-date billing for customers — after more than 70% have already failed, and the remainder expected to fail by fall 2026.
Aclara Technologies, the original transmitter supplier and the sole supplier compatible with Toronto’s existing infrastructure, will supply the new units. Neptune Technology Group (Canada) will lead the replacement installation program beginning in April and continuing through to 2028. Neptune also oversaw the original rollout of the city’s water meters and meter transmission units between 2009 and 2015.
The quarter-watt batteries are sealed within the transmitters and are unable to be swapped out by customers. Many of the batteries are about 14 years into a 20-year lifecycle.
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According to the city, Toronto is not the only municipality in North America that is facing issues with the meter transmitter batteries. Moncton, New Brunswick, installed the advanced wireless meters in 2005 for its 18,000 metered customers, and is now undertaking a phased 10-year replacement project. Other cities in California, Florida, and Massachusetts are also facing early failures.
“This replacement program is a critical investment in the long-term reliability of Toronto’s water meter system and the value we deliver to residents,” said Lou Di Gironimo, Toronto Water’s general manager, in a statement. “While the recent transmission unit failures have been a challenge, the overall meter program has saved the City significant costs over the past decade. It remains the most efficient and cost-effective way to ensure accurate billing for all customers.”
Toronto officials say the replacement program is funded through the city’s budget and helps maintain the automated meter reading system that has already saved more than $350 million in operational costs since its full implementation in 2015. These savings come from a more automated process that reduces manual work and improves overall efficiency, they added.
There is no separate charge or installation fee for customers, and a dedicated customer support team will be available to help throughout the program, according to Toronto Water.
When a meter or transmitter fails, the City of Toronto no longer receives real-time data and instead relies on estimated bills based on the property’s historical water use.
