The Town of Olds is replacing about 1,000 water meters across the community this summer as part of Phase 3 of its Water Meter Replacement Program. Notices went out to affected households starting June 15, 2026, and installations are expected to wrap up by August 31.
Residents can book an appointment with Metercor Inc., the contractor handling the work, by calling 1-888-290-3070. Appointments are available on weekdays, evenings, and weekends, and the swap usually takes less than an hour. The program is mandatory under the Town’s Water Bylaw, and skipping the replacement could lead to service disruption or extra fees.
The new Kamstrup flowIQ ultrasonic smart meters are a big step up from the aging mechanical ones. They offer real-time leak detection and more accurate billing, with radio frequency emissions well within Health Canada’s safety limits. Once Phase 3 is done, just over half of the Town’s roughly 5,000 meters will have been upgraded.
This push comes after years of costly water loss. Olds averaged a 32 percent loss over the past decade, costing about $450,000 a year because the Town pays for all water purchased from the Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission, even what doesn’t reach customers.
Infrastructure Director Adrian Pedro says the results are already clear. “We’re obviously making a difference compared to our 2025 annual average of 19.82 per cent,” he said. Water loss had fallen from over 30 percent in early 2025 to just over 10 percent by December. The Town has set aside $1 million in the 2026 budget to keep tackling the problem, with Phase 3 as a key piece.
