Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Is Here!
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI): helping Thornton Water customers save water and money
You asked and we answered: daily water use data is now available for most Thornton Water customers. We are excited to roll out new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology to homes across the city. The new infrastructure can track customers’ water use daily and provide a breakdown of use estimates, giving you near real-time access to your water use data.
How does AMI work?
AMI is the system of water meters and communication network that allows the city to read water meters remotely. Water meters work by measuring the volume of water that flows to your household each day. Since the early 2000s, Thornton has used an automated meter reading system (AMR), which required utility workers to drive around the city, collecting water meter data sent by radio signals to receivers located on the vehicle.
The new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) uses the same radio technology to transmit or send data from the water meter on your property by harnessing the power of existing infrastructure across the city. All water meter data transmitted through the network is encrypted to protect customer data privacy. That data is then sent to Thornton Water, decrypted, goes through a data verification process and is uploaded directly to your WaterSmart portal to track day-to-day water use as it becomes available. Join over 26,000 customers who can view their water usage on the customer portal at ThorntonWater.com/WaterSmart.
Why Use AMI?
AMI helps customers and Thornton Water easily monitor water levels to catch and repair leaks quickly. Unknown leaks not only waste water and money with continuous undetected use – they can also cause costly damage to homes and businesses over time.
The new AMI meters are more detailed than older systems – measuring water use by the gallon compared to the 10-gallon or even 1,000-gallon measurements used previously. With more specific data and updates daily, customers are able to detect water leaks early, preventing hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water lost to leaks. Log in to the WaterSmart portal by using your 13-digit customer account number and ZIP code to view your daily water use and sign up for high use alerts.
The new AMI meters can detect household water leaks within days instead of months, saving water and keeping money in customers’ pockets— not down the drain.
How was the AMI project implemented?
Thornton Water has been working to implement AMI over the past several years, starting with the most outdated meters across the city that needed replacement. Approximately 25,000 residential meters were upgraded from 2021 to 2024 with funds from Thornton’s Capital Improvement Projects and a $1.5 million WaterSMART grant from the Bureau of Reclamation. Most Thornton residential water customers will have access to daily water usage data this summer, with a goal to offer AMI data to all customers by December 2025. The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Residential Meter Conversion Project is anticipated to save approximately 1,015 acre-feet of water each year (AFY) by providing the city’s customers additional tools to make more efficient water-saving decisions. These projected water savings are the equivalent of 331 million gallons of water.
These infrastructure upgrades not only improve customer service but also support Thornton Water’s broader water conservation goals. Early leak detection through daily monitoring helps customers find leaks quickly and reduce water lost to leaks, and detailed water use data can help customers make more water-smart choices during peak outdoor irrigation seasons. For more information on how summer flows affect your water bill, read the 2025 Thornton Water Rates guide.
Once you log in to WaterSmart, click on the Track tab to see daily water use data. The Hourly tab shows AMI data and the Overview tab shows monthly billed usage. If there is no Hourly tab, it will be available to you by December 2025. Please note that daily readings do not affect your monthly water bill. The readings come from your meter but are primarily a trend tool to detect leaks and track your usage.
Daily Data (Hourly tab)
These are detailed meter readings taken automatically daily. This data will help customers:
- Track water usage in near real-time.
- Spot leaks quickly before they become expensive.
- Understand usage patterns, like outdoor watering or peak times.
- You may see missing data due to network interference. Missing data will not affect your bill.
Billing Data (Overview tab)
These are the official meter register readings we use to calculate your monthly bill.
- Taken once per monthly billing cycle.
- Measures total water used over the billing period.
- Follows our normal billing schedule.
Happy customer quote:
THANK YOU !!!
As soon as I read your email I checked and found a lawn sprinkler valve diaphragm leaking so slowly it would likely have taken weeks or a month for me to realize I had an issue. Although I have not yet used the sprinklers this year, I did charge and check the system about a month ago.
With your email alert and a couple of simple tests on my side, I have resolved the issue before wasting a lot of water.
Thank You.
For more information on the WaterSmart customer portal, email water@thorntonwater.com or call us at 720-977-6600.
For additional resources, see the Contact Us page.
