Introduction

The Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) has installed an automated meter reading system called SmartRead throughout the city of Boston. The system remotely transmits a signal that enables the Commission to read water meters on a daily basis. Every home and business in Boston has been upgraded with the new SmartRead system.

Benefits

BWSC is constantly looking for ways to improve service to our customers.  The SmartRead program advances this goal in 4 ways:

1. Eliminates estimate bills, providing readings based on actual water usage;

2. Reduces the number of visits by BWSC meter readers as the system reads meters remotely;

3. Enables BWSC to track citywide distribution losses, improving response time for service disruptions such as leaks, burst pipes and open hydrants; and

4. Increases BWSC’s water conservation efforts.

Click to enlarge.

The SmartRead system allows water meters to be read remotely, thereby virtually eliminating the need to enter your home for meter readings.  However, there may be certain circumstances when the Commission will need to access your home to investigate, change or repair the new water meter system.

How does SmartRead work? 

Click to see how SmartRead works.

The water meter will include a meter transmission unit (MTU) that will remotely transmit water meter readings to data collection units (DCU) located throughout the city.  All data is then transmitted to a computer database at the Commission via cell phone.