Mercer Island Introduces WaterSmart Utility Customer Portal
CITY GOVERNMENT
Taking the Guesswork Out of Your Water Bill: City of Mercer Island Introduces WaterSmart Utility Portal
For years, Mercer Island residents had to play a guessing game with their water consumption. You would use water for 60 days, receive a bill, and—if there was a spike—you’d have to play detective to figure out where that leak might have started weeks ago.
Those days are over. The City has officially launched WaterSmart, a new utility customer portal designed to give you real-time control over your water use and your wallet.
What is WaterSmart (and why now?)
The portal is the "face" of a massive multi-year project called Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). In 2024, the City finished replacing all 7,000+ water meters on the Island with digital versions. This was a critical upgrade: according to Alaine Sommargren, City of Mercer Island Deputy Director of Public Works, before the project, 70% of our meters were over 15 years old. "As meters age, they can become less accurate, only measuring some of the water that is actually used, and are very likely to leak," says Sommargren. "Older meters that undercount water use means that the City—and ultimately the ratepayers—must pay for the unaccounted water. More accurate meters ensure customers are charged for exactly what they use."
The End of the "Bi-Monthly Surprise"
Previously, usage data was only available every two months. Now, the new AMI system wirelessly transmits hourly data.
With the WaterSmart portal, you can:
Track Hourly Use: See exactly when and how you are using water.
Leak Alerts: Receive near-immediate notifications if the system detects an unusual spike in usage.
Manage Billing: Pay bills, set up autopay, and customize your notifications.
Conserve & Save: Get personalized tips on how to reduce your bill and upgrade fixtures.
Efficiency for the City, Savings for You
Beyond the data on your screen, this transition makes City operations leaner. By moving away from manual meter reading, Public Works staff can spend more time actually fixing problems. "Switching to these new meters reduced the need for manual water meter reading, which is time-intensive," Sommargren explains. "This time can now be focused on addressing leaks and customer concerns" such as answering customer questions and helping with billing issues. Furthermore, catching leaks early isn't just about saving water—it’s about saving money on "leak adjustments" (refunds for unintended use), which are a cost borne by all ratepayers.
A Resource, Not a Requirement
While the digital data is a game-changer for those who want more visibility, the City isn't forcing everyone into the digital age. If you prefer the old-school way, paper bills are still available. However, for the City, the real-time data allows for a much higher level of customer service. Public Works can now troubleshoot billing questions or suggest potential leak sources remotely and in real time. "The portal is primarily a resource for customers," says Sommargren. "It provides a suite of information that customers may find useful as they try to reduce their use and their bills."
Ready to see your data? Head over to the Utility Portal on the City’s website to register your account and start monitoring your usage today.