Norwalk City

Sources of municipal water, including tap and bottled varieties, come from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land surfaces or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, while also potentially collecting substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds, which are byproducts of industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that may occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining activities

To ensure tap water safety, the EPA establishes regulations limiting certain contaminants in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water, providing comparable public health protection. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

1. Why is the City upgrading my water meter? The City approved replacing manually read water meters with digital read meters in August 2016 after years of research, assessment, and planning. The new meters more accurately measure actual water usage, so some customers may notice differences in consumption and billing amounts due to improved meter efficiency. The City selected Mueller Systems Mi.Net AMI (Advanced Meter Infrastructure) technology to automate the current manual meter reading process, with installation expected to complete by end of 2017. Customers will gain real-time water consumption data while the City improves service and operational effectiveness.
2. How does the new system work? The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) comprises several "smart" components communicating via wireless and radio frequency technology. A small radio attached to your water meter records and transmits hourly readings to a collector. These transmissions last only milliseconds with smaller data packets than text messages. Collectors installed on existing water tanks and poles throughout the City store readings and send batch uploads twice daily to City Hall's central software.
3. What technology reads my meter and sends data to the City? Is it safe? The new meters use wireless radio frequencies similar to WiFi and cable TV to communicate with the City Utility Department. All meters and communication systems meet federal communications and safety standards. No personal identifying information is captured or transmitted by the smart meters.
4. How long will my water service be interrupted during installation? While times vary, residential meter replacements typically take less than 5 minutes, with water shut-off occurring for only part of that time. Installation teams minimize service interruptions as much as possible. Commercial and industrial customers will be contacted beforehand to schedule installation with minimal service disruption.
5. Do I need to pay for my new meter? No, the City covers all costs for meters and installation as part of its annual capital improvement planning. This project has no impact on existing water and sewer rates for Norwalk residents.
6. Have the new meters been tested for accuracy? Yes, all installed meters have been tested and accuracy-guaranteed by the manufacturer, Mueller Systems, in compliance with American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards. Additionally, the installation process includes a pilot phase allowing a subset of meters to be installed and billing software to be integrated, ensuring the entire process from meter to bill is thoroughly tested for accuracy before citywide deployment.
7. Will my water bill increase? Your new meter measures water usage the same way as your old meter—by tracking water flowing through it. However, new meters may register lower flows that older meters missed, meaning your bill might increase simply because consumption is now being accurately recorded.
8. Could a leak be causing higher water usage? Unexplained increases in water usage or continuous flow indicators may signal a leak. Customer Service can identify potential leaks based on your consumption pattern and smart meter alerts, and will notify you promptly if detected.
9. Who can I contact about my water bill? For questions about your water bill, please contact the City at 419-663-6700.