The City of Hickory is upgrading water meters throughout its water system, including those in Alexander County. The county’s share of the project will be paid from its Water & Sewer Fund.
The new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, known as Hickory H₂O, will replace older water meters with new technology designed to provide more accurate and reliable readings, improve water-use information, and help identify possible leaks more quickly.
The new meters will also allow readings to be collected remotely rather than requiring employees to visit each meter for routine readings. Once the system is fully implemented, customers will have access to an online portal where they can monitor their water usage.
Installation of a new meter typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Water service will be temporarily interrupted during installation, but customers generally do not need to be home. A door hanger will be left after the work is completed.
There is no charge to customers for the new meter or installation. Because older meters can become less accurate over time, some customers may notice a change in measured water usage after a new meter is installed.
Professional Meters Inc. (PMI) is performing the meter installations on behalf of the City of Hickory.
For more information about the project, visit the City of Hickory’s Hickory H₂O webpage at www.hickorync.gov/hickory-h2o. If you have additional questions, please contact Hickory Public Utilities at 828-323-7427.