Tulsa Crews To Begin Installing Thousands Of Automated Water Meters

Crews with the City of Tulsa will begin installing more than 140,000 automated water meters Tuesday, barring any issues with the weather.

The meters are a part of a new initiative through Tulsa's True Reads Program, which will upgrade the meter system while identifying and replacing lead pipes. The project also includes meter box replacements at most locations.

Melissa Gray, the Utility Systems Operations Manager, said the city has sent out notifications to people about the new meters and will continue to post signs on doors.

She said for people who are concerned with the life span of the meters, they should know this new technology is an ultrasonic meter.

These meters have no moving parts and measures the flow of water, so they don’t wear out over time and are accurate for the life of the meter.

The new automated meter readings are used to collect water consumption data.

This new system will eliminate the need for manually reading and logging meters. Gray said the system will be much more accurate and efficient.

She also said this project is going to take time, so if you don't see crews in your neighborhood, know they will be coming within the next few years.

“So, it works kind of like the Pike Pass system. It collects the data and as the meter reader walks or drives through the neighborhood, it will wake the meter and it will send a signal with the meter read to the readers handheld device," Gray explained.

The True Reads project is expected to take 3 to 4 years to complete. The city encourages people to reach out if they have any questions about the new meters.