Once your water meter is replaced, residents will find a yellow door hanger on their door notifying them that they received a new water meter. The door hanger provides information concerning steps to take prior to using their water. If you run a business, the water meter team will coordinate a convenient time to replace each businesses water meter. Each business will be provided with a door hanger when their meter is replaced.
How will I know that someone is a member of the water meter team? 
The truck used by the water meter team will have a "water meter team" sticker on its door. Team members will be wearing bright yellow shirts with "PMI" on the front left corner of the shirt and will also have a picture ID badge with them. The badge also provides two phone numbers for the citizen to call to confirm the identity of the person. One phone number will contact the Utility Billing number, and the other number connects to the PMI 24-hour line. Water meter team supervisors will be wearing a bright yellow safety vest with "Water Meter Team Supervisor" printed on the back of the vest.
City of Coppell water utility customers will soon start seeing their water meters replaced as part of the City's Advanced Water Meter System project, a new service enhancement initiative to install advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) throughout the community. The city-wide installation of 13,375 new meters is projected to take 14 months. Once installed, the new meter system will provide customers with more accurate water usage data that is updated multiple times throughout the day, water budget and water consumption threshold alerts, comparative data, leak alerts and notifications from the City. Consumption data will be updated on an internet-based customer dashboard that can be accessed from a computer, tablet or smart phone.
City Manager Mike Land explained how the Advanced Water Meter System project is part of the City's larger efforts to utilize technology to become what is referred to in the marketplace as a "Smart City."
"We are actively looking for ways to use data and technology to enhance our customer experience, City's services, livability and sustainability," he said. "The Advanced Water Meter System project aligns perfectly with these goals."
With the Advanced Water Meter System, Coppell residents will have access to data that will give them an increased understanding of their water consumption. In turn, City staff will be better equipped to assist customers.
"If someone calls and they don't believe that they used that much water, right now the only thing we can do is go out and look at the meter to see if they have a leak or have the meter tested," said Kim Tiehen, Assistant Director of Finance for the City of Coppell. "With this technology, we're going to be able to show them what is happening with their consumption. They're going to be able to graph it, and they're going to be able to see it. This will allow us to provide a level of customer service that was unattainable before."
Currently, the City uses three types of metering systems and multiple meter brands. This variability poses operational challenges for City staff. The Advanced Meter System project will include one type of system and one brand for all meters, which will better equip City staff to maintain operations, manage inventory, and provide all customers with the same level of customer service.
Once the meters are installed and customers start accessing the data from their new meters, the information will allow them to more closely monitor their water consumption and adjust their usage accordingly. In turn, it will provide the City more accurate utility analytics and customer consumption data, better meter data management, increased customer transparency, a reduction in water loss, a reduction in labor costs, a baseline for distribution leak detection and the ability to send alerts and messages to customers. In short, customers will be given the tools and data they need to better plan and "Get to Know Your H20."
The City utilized performance contracting to partner with Siemens, who studied the City's current system and developed a design build program to install the advanced meters. According to Tiehen, the Advanced Water Meter System project will increase the accuracy of meter reads and actual water consumption, which will provide the City with higher revenues without increasing water rates. The additional funding, along with the operational savings, will fund the project over the next 15 years. Additionally, the City will be able to reduce the costs associated with the current meter-reading process.
"The City currently sends out designated employees to manually read meters," said Tiehen. "The automated process will allow us to reduce the cost – both in dollars and time – of reading meters."
Coppell City Council approved the $6.8 million Advanced Water Meter System project at the April 24, 2018 meeting, and the funding was secured as part of the July 24, 2018 Certificate of Obligation issuance.
Crews will begin installing new meters soon, notifying residents and businesses days in advance with door hangers and other communications. Concurrently, City representatives will begin educating customers on how to use the internet-based dashboard.
City of Coppell water utility customers will soon begin seeing their water meters replaced as part of the City's Advanced Water Meter System project, a new service enhancement initiative to install advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) throughout the community. The city-wide installation of 13,375 new meters is projected to take 14 months and will impact every home and business in the community.
Why did my water bill increase?
During the project planning, a random test of sixty-three residential meters, conducted by a third party, revealed that the current meters are registering, on average, about 90% of the water actually used. The test also found that of the sixty-three meters, five meters, or 8% of the meters tested, were registering
no usage. Since that testing, the City has found that on average, at any given time, there are approximately 700 meters, or 5% of the system's meters, are not registering usage.
With the more accurate meters, it is very possible that members of the community will receive bills that are higher than statements for a corresponding month in a previous year. It is highly likely that comparing consumption history of the old meter to the new meter will be significantly different for many customers because their meter was not registering all of their water usage. For some, it is possible their meter has not been registering any usage. In both instances, customers can expect to receive a larger bill than they did previously.
It is also possible that customers could receive bills lower than previous if they utilize the customer portal to monitor how much water they are using and adjust their usage. For example, many of us do not realize how much our irrigation system uses or how much water is used when we shower. Reducing the time our irrigation systems run or reducing the length of our showers could have an impact on consumption, resulting in a lower water bill.
When will my meter be replaced?
Currently, the City is working with the installation team and project manager to establish the replacement timing of each area of town. Each customer will receive a letter in the mail providing information concerning when the water meter team will be installing in their area. Additionally, the City will call, email and text residents who have signed up for
NotifyCoppell to inform residents when the water meter team will be in your neighborhood.
Will I be notified before my meter is replaced?
Yes, you will receive a postcard approximately two weeks before the installation team is working in your neighborhood. If you have signed up for
NotifyCoppell, you will also receive a phone call roughly one week before your meter is replaced. You may contact the Utility Billing Department at 972-304-3695 to verify they have an accurate phone number for you.
How will a resident/business know someone is a member of the water meter team?
The truck used by the water meter team will have a "water meter team" sticker on its door. Team members will be wearing bright yellow shirts with "PMI" on the front left corner of the shirt and will also have a picture ID badge with them. The badge also provides two phone numbers for the citizen to call to confirm the identity of the person. One phone number will contact the Utility Billing number, and the other number connects to the PMI 24-hour line. Water meter team supervisors will be wearing a bright yellow safety vest with "Water Meter Team Supervisor" printed on the back of the vest.
Will the water meter team need access to my home?
No, no one will need to enter your home. In fact, water team members are not allowed to enter homes.
What will my property look like after the meter has been installed?
The property will be left in the same condition as it was prior to installation.
Is there anything the resident/business needs to do after their water meter has been replaced?
Residents will find a yellow door hanger on their door notifying them that they received a new water meter. The door hanger provides information concerning steps to take prior to using their water.
If you run a business, the water meter team will coordinate a convenient time to replace each businesses water meter. Each business will be provided with a door hanger when their meter is replaced.
How does the new meter benefit me?
Soon after the meters are installed, customers will have access to an internet-based customer dashboard that can be accessed from a computer, tablet or smartphone. The dashboard or customer portal will provide residents and businesses with access to usage data from their new meters. Residents and businesses will be able to more closely monitor their water consumption and adjust their usage accordingly. In addition, a leak alert can be set that notifies the account holder if the system is detecting a leak at their home or business. The customer can also setup usage alerts which will generate an email when the account registers the usage established by the account holder. In short, customers will be given the tools and data they need to better plan and "Get to Know Your H2O."
This project is the result of listening to our customers. Specifically, the purpose of this project is to provide customers with a water meter system that accurately registers usage, utilizes technology to proactively provide effective and efficient customer service, and provides our customers with easy access to water usage information.
The new system addresses the accuracy concern. During the development and investigation phase of the water meter project, a random test of existing meters found meters to be registering approximately 90% of actual water consumption. As a result, some customers were not being charged for their full water usage. The new meters are expected to register with an accuracy of at least 98.5% of actual consumption. With improved accuracy of the new meter, customers’ bills will more precisely reflect charges for actual water usage.
The new meter system will enhance the customer experience by allowing staff to provide proactive rather than reactive customer service. Currently, staff only sees how much water a customer uses once a month when the meter is read for billing purposes. The new system will allow staff to monitor the system for potential leaks and unusual consumption throughout the month. Staff will be able to research situations and contact a customer sooner than they can under the old system. In addition, staff has no way to answer consumption questions from customers who have the older analog meters. Customers with the radio meters require staff to go to the meter to download consumption information.
The new system provides staff with the ability to access information for all customers who call with questions. The new meter system also helps customers gain deeper insight and understanding on how and when they use water. The new system provides customers with access to a Customer Portal where they can:
Why is the City replacing my water meter (or why is the City replacing all the water meters)?
Currently, the City uses three types of metering systems and multiple meter brands that range in age from three years to over 10 years. This variability poses operational challenges for City staff. The Advanced Meter System project will include one type of system and one brand for all meters, which will better equip City staff to maintain operations, manage inventory, and provide all customers with the same level of customer service.
Will I still be able to open the meter box with a standard meter key in order to turn the water off in an emergency?
Yes, a standard meter key (pictured below) will open the lid and can be purchased at Ace Hardware, Home Depot or Lowe's. Customers are also welcome to stop by Town Center, 255 Parkway Blvd., during normal business hours to view a display water meter, box, and lid, and request a demonstration of how to use the key. Please note: the meter box lid has a wire that connects the transformer mounted in the lid to the meter. It is important to be careful when removing the lid so the wire does not get disconnected.
In older houses that don't already have a check valve, will a check valve be installed along with the new meter?
No.
Do you have any info on if/when smart gas meters are coming?
Currently, it is unknown.
If my bill goes up how do I know it is correct?
The advance water meter system brings improved accuracy as compared to the current water meters. During the development and investigation phase of this project, existing meters that were tested were found to only be registering approximately 90% of actual water used and some were registering no usage. The new automated readers are expected to register at least 98% of actual water usage.
To verify meter accuracy, every meter shipped by Sensus is tested for accuracy according to American Waterworks Standards before leaving the factory. All test results are attached to the meter to ensure accuracy and quality. The City has also contracted with Siemens to randomly select and test water meters each year to determine if the meters are accurately reading usage. The meters will be sent by Siemens to a third party for testing with the results shared with the City Council.
Can I elect to opt out of the new meter project if I do not want a new water meter?
No, all meters will be replaced with the new advanced water meters. The advanced water meter project provides:
Unlike old analog water meters, the new Sensus meters do not have a “STAR” in the center to indicate a leak. As reflected in the picture, the new meters have two digits to the right of the decimal. The furthermost digit indicates 10ths of gallons and is considered to be the leak indicator.
If the last digit is moving, then water is flowing. Low flow would be indicated by this digit moving slowly when all valves are closed in the irrigation system and the residence.
Customers will also be able to see how much water is used each hour, each day or each month on the customer portal. Usage alerts can also be set by customers who access the customer portal.
In addition to the uncertainty regarding the impact of more accurate meters on customer consumption on revenue, staff evaluates the impact of rate increases from Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) and Trinity River Authority (TRA) on the cost of operations. Historically, the City absorbed rate increases from both entities due to Coppell’s growth and expanding customer base. Coppell has moved from the growth to maintenance stage and can no longer absorb increases from those entities, which resulted in the rate increases implemented each of the past three years and the anticipated increase for this year. However, staff cited the following reasons to support why a rate increase would not be necessary to cover costs related to DWU and TRA.
Staff concluded that the current rates, based on a similar consumption by our customers, should generate the necessary revenue to cover the operating costs of the Water and Sewer Fund as well as provide funding for the infrastructure needs of the water and sewer system. The primary funding source for the water and sewer system is water and sewer rates. The water and sewer fund does not receive any funding from property or sales tax revenue. Therefore, rates are set at a level that provide the necessary revenue to cover the cost of operations and maintenance of the water and sewer infrastructure.
If you have questions or concerns, please call 972-304-3695.
If you are experiencing issues after the new meter
installation and need assistance, please call 877-853-2923 (toll-free).
City of Coppell water utility customers will soon start seeing their water meters replaced as part of the City's Advanced Water Meter System project, a new service enhancement initiative to install advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) throughout the community. The city-wide installation of 13,375 new meters is projected to take 14 months. Once installed, the new meter system will provide customers with more accurate water usage data that is updated multiple times throughout the day, water budget and water consumption threshold alerts, comparative data, leak alerts and notifications from the City. Consumption data will be updated on an internet-based customer dashboard that can be accessed from a computer, tablet or smart phone.
City Manager Mike Land explained how the Advanced Water Meter System project is part of the City's larger efforts to utilize technology to become what is referred to in the marketplace as a "Smart City."
"We are actively looking for ways to use data and technology to enhance our customer experience, City's services, livability and sustainability," he said. "The Advanced Water Meter System project aligns perfectly with these goals."
With the Advanced Water Meter System, Coppell residents will have access to data that will give them an increased understanding of their water consumption. In turn, City staff will be better equipped to assist customers.
"If someone calls and they don't believe that they used that much water, right now the only thing we can do is go out and look at the meter to see if they have a leak or have the meter tested," said Kim Tiehen, Assistant Director of Finance for the City of Coppell. "With this technology, we're going to be able to show them what is happening with their consumption. They're going to be able to graph it, and they're going to be able to see it. This will allow us to provide a level of customer service that was unattainable before."
Currently, the City uses three types of metering systems and multiple meter brands. This variability poses operational challenges for City staff. The Advanced Meter System project will include one type of system and one brand for all meters, which will better equip City staff to maintain operations, manage inventory, and provide all customers with the same level of customer service.
Once the meters are installed and customers start accessing the data from their new meters, the information will allow them to more closely monitor their water consumption and adjust their usage accordingly. In turn, it will provide the City more accurate utility analytics and customer consumption data, better meter data management, increased customer transparency, a reduction in water loss, a reduction in labor costs, a baseline for distribution leak detection and the ability to send alerts and messages to customers. In short, customers will be given the tools and data they need to better plan and "Get to Know Your H20."
The City utilized performance contracting to partner with Siemens, who studied the City's current system and developed a design build program to install the advanced meters. According to Tiehen, the Advanced Water Meter System project will increase the accuracy of meter reads and actual water consumption, which will provide the City with higher revenues without increasing water rates. The additional funding, along with the operational savings, will fund the project over the next 15 years. Additionally, the City will be able to reduce the costs associated with the current meter-reading process.
"The City currently sends out designated employees to manually read meters," said Tiehen. "The automated process will allow us to reduce the cost – both in dollars and time – of reading meters."
Coppell City Council approved the $6.8 million Advanced Water Meter System project at the April 24, 2018 meeting, and the funding was secured as part of the July 24, 2018 Certificate of Obligation issuance.
Crews will begin installing new meters soon, notifying residents and businesses days in advance with door hangers and other communications. Concurrently, City representatives will begin educating customers on how to use the internet-based dashboard.
The Building Inspections Division administers and enforces the building construction, fire, zoning, and neighborhood integrity codes and ordinances in an effort to ensure a safe, well maintained community.
265 E Parkway Blvd. Coppell, TX 75019 PO Box 9478 | 972-304-3500 inspect@coppelltx.gov |
As a protective measure for our residents, a building permit must be acquired from the Building Inspections Department for the replacement of all roofs, both residential and commercial. The permit ensures that the contractor is registered with the City and that a safety inspection will be performed.
Contractor Registration Form | New Contractor Requirements | On-Line Renewals | |
Roof replacement shall include the removal of existing layers of roof coverings down to the roof deck.
Roof top mounted Photovoltaic Systems (Solar Panels) may be damaged and need replacement or repair. This might require a separate permit. If they need to be removed to replace roofing , this must be done by a qualified contractor. A permit will be required for re-installation.
Permit Fee Schedule | Contractor Fees | |
The City of Coppell requires permits to verify that the construction or development will comply with building codes and zoning ordinances. The building codes and zoning ordinances are adopted by the city council. The development projects are also inspected to insure that they comply with all current building codes.
If you smell gas, call Atmos at 1-866-322-8667 or 911. To schedule an emergency Building Inspection (Gas Leak/Electrical Re-Connect) please call the Emergency Hotline at 972-462-5150.
Construction activity is only allowed between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm, Monday through Friday, and between the hours of 9 am and 7 pm on Saturday, Sundays, and legal holidays. An exception to these hours may be granted for special conditions.
For Special Events permits please contact Tiffany Anderson at 972-304-7052.
Suzanne ArnoldChief Building Official972-304-3506sarnold@coppelltx.gov | Stephen Meyer972-304-3511 |
Jack Foster972-304-3510 | Danny Doster972-304-3641 |
Violetta EspinozaAdministrative Technician II972-304-3500vespinoza@coppelltx.gov | Kaitlyn GrizzleAdministrative Technician II972-304-3500 |
Traits of Servant Leadership | Volunteer Opportunities | Gallery | Join Our Mailing List | Volunteer Spotlight |
Jury Trials for May 13, 2019 at 8 a.m. have been canceled.
***The Coppell Municipal Court has a delayed opening once a month. The date of this delayed opening as well as any other announcements are posted in red below.
Teen court has been canceled until further notice. Please contact the court at 972-304-3650 if you have any questions.
Print copies of Coppell News, the city's monthly newsletter, are distributed to residents with their monthly water bills and can also be found at most City buildings.
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| January | February | March | April |
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| September | October | November | December |
Camp Do-It-All | KidzConnect | Missoula Children's Theatre |
Camp Do-It-All is an award-winning day camp program designed for boys and girls ages 6-12 years old. Camp Do-It-All is offered during the major school breaks: Summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break. Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to accommodate working parents. Camp Do-It-All provides a variety of activities that stimulate creativity, entertainment, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Plus . . . it's fun! Participate in outdoor and indoor sports, swimming, roller skating, movies, board games, arts and crafts, and field trips to exciting destinations such as: Skate Town, the Fort Worth Zoo, museum tours, and more!
| Summer Camp Do-It-All: *Registration begins April 1 for Residents and April 8 for Non-Residents* | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | May 28 - August 9 | 7:00 am - 6:30 pm *No camp held on Monday, May 27 or Thursday, July 4* |
| Ages: 6-12 years | $145/ week | $45/day |
| Field Trip Schedule (updated 2/8/19) Camp is held at Denton Creek Elementary 250 Natches Trace, Coppell | | |
June 10 - 14
June 17 - 21
June 24 - 28
| SUMMER 2019: July 29 - August 3 - Jack and the Bean Stalk | |
|---|---|
| SCHEDULE FOR MISSOULA : | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Thursday, Friday | 10 am - 2:30 pm | Will vary depending on role |
| Tuesday, Wednesday | 10 am - 4:30 pm | End of day workshops |
| Saturday | 11 am - 8 pm | Performances at 3 and 6 pm |
| City of Coppell Food Ordinance Amendments |
Certified Food Protection Manager & Food Handler Requirements:
The City of Coppell requires at least one employee that has supervisory and management responsibility to be a Certified Food Protection Manager. Click here for more information on Certified Food Protection Manager recognized exams and testing agencies.
ALL food employees, except for the certified food manager, shall successfully complete an accredited food handling training course. Click here for more information on Certified Food Protection Manager recognized exams and testing agencies.
| Click here to view the latest Food Inspection Results >>> |
Coppell residents can contact Republic Services to set up an appointment to have their Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste collected.
| January | February | March | April |
| May | June | July | August |
| September | October | November | December |
| 367 Freeport Pkwy. Coppell, TX 75019 | 972-304-3581 |
The Biodiversity Education Center is a “green” constructed building. The project receives power from 96 solar panels and includes a cistern that captures 9,400 gallons of rain water. Landscaping around the Center features Texas native and adaptive plants, reducing water consumption and providing a habitat for wildlife such as butterflies, hummingbirds, birds and bees.
Volunteer with us:
The Biodiversity Education Center is only open to the public during center program offerings.
View the kWh generated with the solar panels at the Biodiversity Education Center.
Coppell Non-profit 501(c) 3 Organizations can request reservations. Youth organizations such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4H and American Heritage Girls are asked to submit requests using the non-profit form.
Reservation Form and Rental Information
Coppell is known for its small town feel and no place exemplifies this better than Old Town Coppell. Located in the City's historic district, Old Town stands at the roots of where the community began, the original town site. Residential homes, businesses and restaurants line the streets creating a walkable, vibrant community and charming gathering place clustered around a beautiful town square, home to the Coppell Farmers Market. Visitors and residents live, work and play in this dynamic new community capturing the essence of Coppell's historical roots and quality of life.
SHOP DINE PLAY LIVE
| Date | Time | Event | Location | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2019 | 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Spring Music Series | The Square in Old Town | City of Coppell |
| March 22, 2019 | 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Spring Music Series | The Square in Old Town | City of Coppell |
| May 3, 2019 | 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Party on the Lawn: Old Town Anniversary Celebration | The Square in Old Town | City of Coppell |
| | | | | |
The Main Street Fountain is the perfect place to cool off as the days get warmer! The fountain is located next to the Farmers Market Pavilion and playground at 768 W. Main Street. The 2019 season will begin on Friday, May 3, 2019.
| Main Street Interactive Fountain Hours | |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Friday | 9 AM - 9 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM - 9 PM |
The Building Inspections Department provides monthly reports for Certificate of Occupancy issued and permits for New Commercial, New Residential, and Irrigation.
The next election will be: November 5, 2019 from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The last day to register to vote: October 4, 2019.
*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Voter Identification Information:
Click here to get the latest facts about Voter ID.
For questions or concerns regarding voter identification, please contact the Secretary of State - (800) 252-VOTE, or visit: www.sos.state.tx.us
To check your voter's registration status, please click here.
For Dallas County registered voters, click here.
For Denton County registered voters, click here.
Click here for a map of Coppell precincts.
For Dallas County registered voters, please visit: Dallas County Elections.
For Denton County registered voters, please visit: Denton County Elections.
Meet your Elected Officials here.
In the City of Coppell, servant leadership is more than an idealistic phrase. Instead, servant leadership, the spirit of volunteerism and the willingness to lend a hand to a neighbor is engrained in our culture. We rely heavily on our volunteers, and we’d be hard pressed to offer our exceptional services without their assistance. Our volunteers help us with a variety of things, and we can’t stress enough how much we appreciate them. Our volunteers come from all backgrounds, and they all have varied interests.
In an effort to honor our great volunteers, we pick a volunteer to highlight each month. Read all about some of our most dedicated volunteers!
2019 | | | |
| Mohamed Elmougy Vonita White Tara John | | | |
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Standard Water Meter Key
The meter data display looks similar to the numbers on a car odometer and has nine digits. The digits on the meter represent the number of gallons consumed down to the 1/100th of a gallon. The last two digits after the decimal can be used as leak indicators to detect continuous water flow through the meter.
As part of its larger community engagement initiative beginning in 2014, the City of Coppell has built a strong foundation of knowledge and awareness to best serve residents of all cultural backgrounds. Informed by conversations with community stakeholders and the findings from the Fall 2017 Community Survey, Allies in Community™ will extend this foundation into the community by bringing together cohorts of 30-40 residents and city employees to attend fun, hands-on workshops every six weeks. 
