Portland Water District Will Be Replacing Water Meters in Homes

If you receive your water service from the Portland Water District, some significant changes are forthcoming that you should be aware of.

History of the Portland Water District

In 1862, the Portland Water Company was formed and later purchased by the Portland Water District in 1908. The company moved to its current headquarters at 225 Douglass Street in Portland in 1928.

They deliver an average of 21 million gallons of water each day to approximately 56,000 residents, which is pumped from Sebago Lake and travels through 115 miles of pipes to get to the homes and businesses in Falmouth, Raymond, Scarborough, South Portland, Standish, Windham, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Gorham, Portland, and Westbrook.

Water Meters Are Being Upgraded

According to WMTW, the Portland Water District is about to undertake a major project that will replace current water meters in homes. In case you don't know where your meter is, it's most often found in your basement and looks a little like a speedometer on your dashboard. Instead of measuring mileage, the "odometer" measures how much water you use.

The new meters, like many pieces of technology today, communicate with the Portland Water District, providing more accurate readings and eliminating the need for staff to visit and check your water meter. The cost? $30 million.

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Do You Have to Be Home For Installation?

Yes. Portland Water District customers will be get a letter in the mail from VEPO Metering with the details of the upgrade. An installer will contact customers directly to schedule appointments, so no need to worry about them showing up at your door unexpectedly.

You can learn more about the project on the Portland Water District's website.