Pressurized Irrigation Meter Installation

Citywide Meter Installation Project

American Fork City has a pressurized irrigation system specifically designed for outdoor watering uses such as landscape and lawns. In accordance with the 2019 Utah State legislative mandate that all cities meter their secondary water usage, we have been working to install pressurized water (PI) meters on all connections in the City. Since April 2019, all new PI connections have been fitted with a meter. The first phase of converting existing PI connections to meters began in May 2022, starting in the northern third of the City. American Fork received a Federally-matched grant, which was used along with $1.5 million the City reserved for this project, to accomplish the first phase of the installation. Phase 2 will begin in 2023. The citywide installation project will take several years to complete. There is no additional cost to residents or businesses for the meter installation. The existing flat rate structure on utility bills will continue until all meters have been installed citywide, a new Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) system is in place, and a new rate structure is approved.

Your patience throughout this important project is appreciated. If you have questions or concerns regarding this project, please email us info@americanfork.gov. Or call us at 801-763-3000.

Why Do Meters Matter?

American Fork City is committed to contributing to water conservation efforts and by so doing, help our area responsibly care for our limited natural water resource. We expect that as we see our measured water usage, we will make better informed decisions to use only the water we need. Conservation is crucial to ensuring we have water now and for future generations. See our Water Conservation page for conservation resources. 

The Process

Pressurized irrigation users will have a meter installed in the City PI service box located on their property. Here is what can be expected when a meter is installed:

  • Notification: You will receive a written notice on your door in advance of the meter installation on your property.
  • Excavation: Crews from Hydro Vac Excavation will come to clear out the meter box of debris to prepare the site for installation. Depending on how your PI line was installed and the condition of the existing box, they may need to clear out additional space outside of the box as well. 
  • Installation: Hydro Vac crews will remove a section of pipe and install a new meter within the existing PI service box on your property. This may be the same day or on a later date than the excavation. The water is turned off only during the time it takes to install the meter, typically around 2 hours. * 
  • Restoration: Hydro Vac crews restore the area as close to pre-install conditions as possible. There is usually some time between installation and restoration to allow for soil settling. 
  • Inspection: City crews will come to inspect the work and install the transponder to the lid of the box.

*While the entire meter installation process at your property may take up to four weeks, for most people your water will only be shut off for a few hours. Some homes may have special circumstances that require additional impact to yard and/or time. Crews will try their best to minimize the impact to residents. For those with atypical installation conditions, you will receive a notice from the city.   

How to Prepare

  • Please keep the street clear of vehicles in front of your property so trucks can access your service box.
  • Please remove any personal items from the city's utility box such as hoses and nozzles. 

Please note Hydro Vac is instructed to remove any unapproved installations from the utility boxes, including hose bibs, filters, or additional shut off valves. In some circumstances those items may be installed too close to the city's box requiring them to be removed in order for us to install the meter. In these cases the installation crews will try to give the removed products back to the property owner.

How much will metered water cost?

Metered rates will be set after all connections in the City are metered and the Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) system is established, which will take a few years. The AMI system will allow meters to be read from radio receivers on a regular basis. You will be able to review your usage before the new fee structure goes into effect. The existing flat rate structure will continue until the city is entirely metered and a new rate is set. See the existing rate structure here. 

Phase 1 Installation

The first phase of the installation began in the north third of the City. The phase I installations ran from May through December of 2022. All streets from about 500 North to 1400 N and 900 W to 1300 E were included in Phase 1. See the map for a highlighted section of the City that shows the location of Phase 1 installations.

The city-approved contractor for Phase 1 was Hydro Vac Excavations LLC. Crews from Hydro Vac Excavation worked in the PI service box to install meters. Contact Hydro Vac Excavation for any questions/concerns about the installation at 385-465-4687. 

Map of AF showing the northern third of the City highlighted for phase 1 installation Opens in new window


Phase 2 Installation

The second phase of the installation will begin in the spring of 2023 for the lower 2/3 of the City. The Phase 2 installations will follow the same process as Phase 1. 

The city-approved contractor for Phase 2 is Hydro Vac Excavations LLC. Crews from Hydro Vac Excavation will work with city crews to install a new pressurized irrigation meter in existing service connections.

Phase 2 PI Meter Install Map

What Will The Meter Look Like?

The meter will be installed in the existing City PI utility service box. A section of the existing service line will be removed to accommodate the new meter. This requires the removal of any existing hose bibb. The new meter will be installed with a transponder wire that attaches to the service box lid. Once the install is complete, you should not tamper with the service box lid. Doing so may damage the meter parts inside, which are City property. After installation, your landscaping will be restored as closely as possible to preinstall conditions. If your landscaping covers the box, it will be permanently removed to allow access.

For properties that have the PI system shut off for repairs or other issues, please alert Hydro Vac Excavations at 385-465-4687 to any issues with your system before they perform the meter installation. 

If you want to install a hose bibb or any filter or valve on your PI service line, you will be responsible for installing those items further down the line on your property. No private installation should occur within the utility service box or on the street side of the service box preceding the meter.

Read the Citizens Want to Know article that gives the long explanation about why and how the City shutoff valve and hose bibb are being affected by the meter installation. Read it here. 

PI Meter and Transponder

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City Ordinance

Pressurized Irrigation Meter Letter

Pressurized Irrigation Meter Ordinance

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: Is having a PI water meter installed at my property optional?
    • A: No. The City is required by State ordinance to install a PI water meter on every connection and has been doing so since April 2019.
  • Q: Will the City charge me for meter installation?
    • A: No. Funding of the project is provided by the City and for the first phase, a federally-matched grant.
  • Q: Will the installation affect my culinary water?
    • A: No. Culinary (indoor) water is on a separate system and will not be affected by the PI meter.
  • Q: Will the meter affect irrigation water pressure?
    • A: No. Most often, lower pressure is a result of the time of day you irrigate. Those issues can be resolved by adjusting your watering time.
  • Q: Who will install the meter?
    • A: AF City has contracted with Hydro Vac Excavation LLC to do the work for Phase 1. The work crew will be driving trucks with the Hydro Vac logo and an American Fork City logo with the words "Approved Contractor" on the sign.
  • Q: Do I need to be home for the meter installation?
    • A: No, you do not need to be home. Work will be performed M-F between about 7am and 5pm.
  • Q: Will the hose bibb/spicket in the service box be removed?
    • A: Yes. The meter will replace old fittings in the service box. Any valves, filters, or fittings that were in the service box prior to installation will be removed. If you would like to install a hose bibb down the line from the service box, it will be your financial responsibility. Access to the utility box is restricted to City employees only. Read more details here.
  • Q: Will my landscaping in the installation area be restored?
    • A: Yes. The contractor will restore landscaping as closely as possible to preinstall conditions. However, if a service box is covered by landscaping, it will have to be cleared for permanent City access.
  • Q: What if there is a leak at the meter or any problem after the meter is installed?
    • A: Please call Public Works at 801-404-1253.
  • Q: When will I see meter charges on my utility bill?
    • A: Metered rates will be charged after all connections in the City are metered and the Advanced Meter Infrastructure system is established, which will take a few years. You will be able to review your usage before the new fee structure goes into effect. The existing flat rate structure will continue until the city is entirely metered. See the rate structure here. 
  • Q: Will my PI bill go up once metered rates are charged?
    • A: Maybe. If you are using a conservative amount of PI water for your property, your bill could remain similar to what it is now. However, the size of your property and how much water is used to irrigate will be a significant factor. More information regarding rates will be established and communicated as the meter installation project progresses.
  • Q: What if I am building a new home, will a meter be installed?
    • A: Yes. All new construction is required to have both a culinary and secondary water meter installed at the time of construction. All new construction as of April 2019 has been fitted with PI meters at the time of connection.