Saanich residents will see new water meter technology rolled out across the municipality over the next five years, as the district looks to spot potential leaks sooner and improve the reliability of its water system. The project, scheduled to begin in late 2026, will bring remote meter reading to about 30,000 properties, giving the district a clearer picture of water consumption without relying on traditional manual readings. The technology is designed to flag unusual usage patterns that could point to a leak, potentially helping residents and the municipality identify water loss before it becomes a bigger problem. “This is an important investment in the infrastructure that supports reliable water service for our community,” said Harley Machielse, Saanich’s director of engineering, in a news release. “The new system will give us more timely information to support customer service, billing and long-term water-system planning.” Saanich expects to upgrade about 6,000-meter locations annually, with work moving through neighbourhoods in stages. The municipality says it is among the first on Vancouver Island to adopt the technology. For most households, the change should be relatively straightforward. Crews expect the equipment upgrade to take about 45 minutes, and residents generally will not need to be home. Most work will be done at an accessible meter box, with water service continuing as usual. Some properties may require a full meter replacement. If crews need to enter a building or access private property, or if water service must be temporarily shut off, residents will be notified. KTI Utility Services will carry out most of the work, with Saanich staff handling some larger or more complicated installations. The district says workers carrying out the upgrades will have identification. The technology also raises questions about privacy. According to Saanich, the system records meter identification and water consumption readings, not activities inside homes or businesses. Data will be transmitted and stored through the Sensus Analytics platform, with access controlled by the district. Saanich says the meters use low-power wireless technology that complies with Canadian regulations. The project will be paid for through Saanich’s Water Capital Budget and is already accounted for in existing utility rates, meaning it is part of the municipality’s ongoing infrastructure renewal program. Beyond improving leak detection, the upgrade is intended to replace older meters and reading equipment that are becoming less dependable or cannot work with newer technology. It also aligns with priorities in Saanich council’s 2023 to 2027 strategic plan, including asset management, reliable service and water conservation.
