Water Meter Replacement Project – Allentown Division
In 2026, Lehigh County Authority (LCA) is replacing water meters at or near the end of their useful life for some Allentown Division customers. Water meters have an average lifespan of approximately 20 years before replacement is required. LCA notified customers included in the project by mail and by telephone.
Read the notification mailed to customers about this project.
The following frequently asked questions provide additional information:
Why are water meters being replaced and what is the cost to customers?
Water meters have a 20-year lifespan and must be replaced when at or near the end of their life.
Replacement of the meter, owned by LCA, is free.
Who is doing the water meter replacement?
A reliable third-party contractor called MeterTek Utility Services Inc. is conducting meter replacement work on behalf of LCA. The MeterTek technicians carry photo identification, which customers can ask to see. See the sample company logo below.
What kind of water meter is being installed?
The replacement meter is an iPerl Smart Meter manufactured by Sensus (see photo below).
Customer properties already have an Itron 100W ERT (Encoder Receiver Transmitter) unit wired and attached to the current water meter. Itron 100W ERTs are being replaced with Itron 500W ERTs, which will be attached to the service line at the meter.
What is an ERT transmitter and how does it work?
Lehigh County Authority (LCA) reads your water meter once each quarter for billing purposes. The new 500W ERTs can be read cellularly. If a meter reading is not received cellularly, a technician drives an LCA vehicle with specialized computer equipment through a geographic area to collect data. The vehicle computer sends a signal or “ping” to the transmitter outside your home. The transmitter, wired and attached to the water meter, sends the meter reading to the LCA software system. Otherwise, it is inactive or “at rest” (see photo below).
What information does the transceiver send to LCA?
The only information transmitted is the water meter number and the meter reading. Water meters can only record the volume of water used in gallons.
Do the meter and transceiver use radio frequency (RF)?
There is no radio technology in the water meter. The transmitter, located in your property, is wired to the water meter. If reading in drive-by mode, it is activated once per quarter when an LCA technician drives through your neighborhood to collect meter readings. A radio signal is transmitted to all transmitters in the area requesting meter data. After the data is received and the vehicle passes by, the transmitter returns to an inactive state until the next meter reading. If reading cellularly, the transmitter uses cellular carriers just like phones and transmits readings to the LCA each day.
Is RF safe for human exposure?
Transmitters use RF levels well below the acceptable limits for in-home devices set by the FCC, and when in use, operate at far lower levels than many common household items, such as Wi-Fi routers, cell phones, baby monitors, or microwave ovens.
For more information on RF safety, visit the FCC website: https://www.fcc.gov/ and search for the keyword “RF Safety.”
What happens during the meter replacement appointment?
Before the scheduled appointment, clear the area around the water meter, allowing room for the MeterTek technician to work. The technician will ask you to show them to the meter location, typically in the basement. The process to remove the old meter and transceiver and install the new equipment is expected to take one hour. Water service will be disrupted during the work. Please plan accordingly. When the replacement is complete, water will be turned on, and the technician will ensure the meter works properly.
If my bill was previously estimated, when the new water meter sends an actual meter reading, will my bill increase?
Once LCA obtains an actual reading with the upgraded equipment, your bill may be higher because it is now catching up with low estimates. Your bill may be lower due to high estimates. Either way, your bill will be adjusted to the actual usage for your property.
Learn more about actual and estimated meter readings on our website https://www.lehighcountyauthority.org/meterreading/
Can I read the water meter myself?
Yes, you can read the water meter by opening the lid and viewing the display. You will see the flow rate if water is running.
LCA has helpful information about meters and how to read them on our website at https://www.lehighcountyauthority.org/watermeters/.
Sensus iPerl Water Meter
Itron 500W ERT
Example of Installation
