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Contractors with the city of Pleasanton will be replacing more than 22,000 water meters at homes and businesses starting this month as part of the city’s Water Meter Replacement Project.
The project aims to improve aging infrastructure to ensure water customers are not paying more than they should be and to strengthen the city’s overall water system, according to a Nov. 5 press release from the city. It’s expected to cost about $12 million and will be funded by the city’s Water Enterprise Fund, water revenue bond proceeds and revenue from increased water rates.
“The City Council has spent a lot of time over the past few years looking closely at what our water system needs, and replacing these aging meters is an important part of that work,” Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch said in the release. “This is yet another investment we’re making in our water system to uphold our commitment to providing safe, reliable water service to Pleasanton residents and businesses.”
According to the city, Pleasanton’s water meter and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system has been experiencing widespread failures for quite some time.
“These failures have resulted in billing inaccuracies, increased water loss, higher maintenance demands and rising operational costs,” staff stated in a report prepared for the June 16 council meeting, adding that the city’s Public Works Department had already replaced about 4,000 meters.
The city identified replacing the water meter and AMI system as one of its goals in its Water System Management Plan (WSMP) and Water Financial Plan, which lays out the city’s water system needs and priorities for the next 20 years. It was adopted by the council in January 2025.
The city hired consulting firm Diameter Services last year to evaluate the water system, assess replacement options and help develop a comprehensive replacement strategy.
Core & Main LP and Concord Utility Services will carry out the work, which city officials say will reduce the need for ongoing repairs and replacements. According to the city, Concord Utility Services is expected to begin replacing water meters this month. An installation timeline map on the city’s website, however, states that work is expected to begin next month.
The contractor will begin replacing the meters in homes and businesses in south Pleasanton and move its way through different zones laid out by the city. Customers will receive advanced notices before the work is carried out.
On the day of installation, a technician will knock on customers’ doors before starting work. Residents do not need to be present, but the meter area must be accessible. Water service will be shut off for about 30 minutes.
Residents can continue using the MyWater Pleasanton mobile app and online portal to view and track water use and receive alerts about unusual water use that may indicate a leak, officials said.
The replacement work is expected to be completed sometime around May 2027, but that timeline is subject to change depending on weather conditions and any other unexpected delays.
Residents can more information on the project and the timeline at CityofPleasantonCA.gov/watermeters.
