The Town of Newmarket is excited to be moving onto the second phase of its mandatory Water Meter Replacement Program. This new digital infrastructure will provide residents and the Town better access to data that will allow for the future ability to track and monitor usage and identify leaks and losses before they become a larger issue. The first phase began in March 2021 and focused on upgrading water meters for approximately 7,000 households. The second phase of the program will focus on replacing the remaining water meters for approximately 18,000 households.
Households will be selected on an area-by-area basis. Those selected will receive a letter in the mail and will be required to book an in-person appointment with the Town's contractor WAMCO to replace their water meter. WAMCO installers will need to access the water meter inside the home and install a water meter reader outside of the home. There is no cost to residents to participate in this mandatory program and an adult (18+ years old) is required to be at home for the duration of the appointment.
It is important that residents book an in-person appointment with WAMCO within seven days of receiving the letter of eligibility to ensure they continue to receive accurate water meter readings. Some benefits of the program include:
- The ability for the Town to conduct remote water meter readings
- No physical visits will be required to obtain water meter readings which will result in saved time and improved efficiencies.
- Improved water meter reading accuracy
- If the resident's water meter was previously over-registering or under-registering, the new water meter will now measure the water usage accurately.
- The future ability for the Town to identify leaks and losses within the system before they become a larger issue and
- The future ability for residents to track water usage through an online portal
Appointment Process
Once residents receive a letter in the mail indicating their eligibility, they can follow the steps highlighted in the letter to book an appointment. Appointments can be booked online or by calling WAMCO directly at 1-833-926-2626.
Appointments will take approximately 30-60 minutes to complete. Residents may experience water use disruption that can last between 10-30 minutes. Once the appointment is booked, a confirmation email/text message will be sent to the resident.
Residents are encouraged to review the Water Meter Replacement booklet that is included with the letter of eligibility to learn more about the appointment, benefits of the program and how to prepare their home for the water meter replacement appointment.
Health and Safety Protocols during appointments
WAMCO installers will be subject to a daily health screening process before heading to work and will be wearing a face mask and staying at least 6ft/2m apart at all times.
Residents who have questions about the Water Meter Replacement Program are encouraged to visit newmarket.ca/watermeters, email info@newmarket.ca or call 905-895-5193.
