Angels Camp approves smart water meter phases and construction documents

The Angels Camp City Council authorized release of construction documents and procurement for a phased smart water meter replacement program on Dec. 2.

Staff described the two-phase plan to replace existing mechanical meters and to deploy smart meters and reader software. The presentation noted an earlier CA Advanced Services Infrastructure grant the city manages and that the smart-meter rollout will reduce monthly meter-reading labor (staff estimated savings equivalent to a substantial annual labor amount). Staff said the city selected Badger meters after consulting other utilities and vendors and that the software is not yet fully configured but will be operational before wide deployment.

Public questions focused on customer impacts: whether city-owned property counts as eligible host sites for EV chargers (in a different agenda item), how duplexes and older properties will be handled, possible changes in bills when older mechanical meters are replaced, and whether customers or the city bear the cost of additional service connections. Staff said the meters are being installed by the city and that some customers could see higher bills if prior meters under‑registered; the billing department will analyze anomalies flagged by the new system and contact customers.

Council voted to approve the procurement and bidding authorization; staff will proceed with contractor selection, software configuration and resident notifications ahead of installation.

Why it matters: Smart-meter deployment can improve system accuracy and reduce staff time, but replacement often triggers billing adjustments and customer questions that require clear communication and safeguards.

Next steps: Staff to finalize software configuration, put work out to bid, notify residents of timing and provide instructions for customers with unique service arrangements (for example, duplexes).