The City of Muskegon is replacing older residential water meters with new, more accurate smart water meters.

This citywide project will help modernize Muskegon’s water system, improve billing accuracy, and give residents better tools to understand and manage their water use.

Many homes in Muskegon still have older meters that can become less accurate over time. In some cases, that means water use is not being fully captured. Replacing those meters will help ensure customers are billed fairly and that the city can better maintain and invest in the water system.

The project is expected to take about 18 months and continue through the end of 2027.

Why This Project Matters

This project is about more than just replacing equipment. It is an investment in better service, better information, and a more sustainable future.

Benefits of the new water meters include:

• More accurate water readings
• Fairer billing based on actual water use
• Faster detection of leaks or unusual usage
• Access to a customer portal to monitor water use
• Optional alerts for high usage
• Vacation mode and other account tools
• Reduced need for manual meter reading
• A more efficient and modern water system

How This Supports Muskegon’s Climate Action Plan

In 2023, the City Commission approved a Climate Action Plan with a goal of eliminating the organization’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

This project supports that goal by helping reduce water waste, improving system efficiency, and replacing outdated technology with smarter tools that help both the City and residents better manage water use.

How to Know If You May Need a New Meter

Homes that had a meter installed or replaced since 2023 may already have the updated equipment.

In general:

• Newer meters are typically blue and black plastic
• Older meters may look more metallic or outdated

If your home needs its water meter replaced, participation will be required to keep your meter working with the city’s updated system. The upgrade is free, typically takes less than an hour, and typically requires brief access to the meter inside your home. Residents will receive advance notice with details on how to schedule and prepare.

Photos of old and new meters will be included on this page to help residents compare.

Will My Water Bill Go Up?

Some residents may notice a change in their bill after a new meter is installed.

That does not mean new charges are being added. It means the new meter is more accurately measuring the water being used.

Older meters can become less accurate over time and may underreport usage. New meters help ensure billing reflects actual water use while also giving customers tools to monitor usage, catch leaks, and avoid surprises.