Personal Angle Stop (shown in On position)

Dual-Check Backflow Prevention Assembly

Personal Angle Stop (shown in Off position)

Pressure Regulator

Digital Meter (with cover open)

< --- To Customer's Property                                                                                                                                                      To SWM Water Main --- >                      

 Reading display                                            Rate of flow (showing no usage)

Over the next several years, Southwest Milam WSC plans to switch our system over to all-digital meters. Here, we will try to address our frequently asked questions about the new meters. If you have a question that is not covered, please feel free to contact us.

I got a new meter, and now there's a pole next to it. What is that?

Some new meters will require an external antenna in order to be read. It will usually be a t-post placed next to the meter box with a small black antenna at the top and wiring running down into the meter box. These are installed if there is interference between our meter reader's signal and your meter box.

Do you still need access to my property?

Once your old meter has been replaced with a digital meter, we will no longer need to enter your property for monthly readings. However, we will still need access to your property to perform routine maintenance or repairs.

Why the switch?

Digital meters allow us to provide more accurate and detailed information to our members regarding their water usage, and have several other benefits over traditional meters. They are read by drive-by radio frequency, which minimizes the need for us to access your property in order to read your meter. This also helps to cut down on estimated billings due to unforeseen circumstances that would prevent your meter from being read, such as wildlife in your meter box (bees, snakes) or loose pets and livestock on your property.

Will my bill go up?

There is no additional cost to Southwest Milam WSC members for their meter upgrade. In some cases, a member's bill may go up due to increased reading accuracy, as some older meters may have run slower over time due to age or mineral buildup. However, if you experience a sudden spike in usage after the new meter has been in for a minimum of 90 days, you may make a request to have a log of your usage over the previous 90 days.

How do I know that I'm being charged for my usage, and not my neighbor?

Every meter has its own serial number that is transmitted to our meter reading device along with your reading. That serial number linked to your account in our billing system so that your specific reading is matched with your account.

Is my new meter a "smart" meter?

The new meters are not considered "smart" meters. They simply record your usage and send that information to our meter-reading device when our reading trucks pass within a certain distance of your meter during monthly readings. New meters will only be read once per billing cycle, therefore Southwest Milam WSC will only be able to provide usage information when those readings have been processed.

Can I still read my own meter?

Yes. When you open the cover on your meter, you may need to shine a flash light onto it in order to activate the display. The pictures on this page show what the display looks like, and some of the icons that may be shown on the meter display.

Digital meters