Project Grant R25AP00470

The City of Soledad received a $2.8M Project Grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) program (CFDA 15.507), awarded on September 10, 2025. The funding supports the upgrade and replacement of approximately 3,500 existing non-Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters with ultrasonic flowmeters equipped with AMI cellular technology (smart meters) and implementation of a new subscription-based customer portal. These smart meters will be installed across the city's water system, serving single-family residences, multi-family housing units, schools, commercial customers, parks, and municipal connections throughout Soledad.

The smart meter system and accompanying customer portal will deliver real-time water consumption data, highly accurate meter readings, and priority leak and reverse flow alarms to both the city and its residents. The project includes a customer education and outreach component to prepare residents to interpret and utilize consumption data through social media, utility bills, and other communication channels. The initiative is designed to enhance water conservation and efficiency in this agricultural community while providing residents with more accurate billing information and actionable insights into their water usage patterns. Project completion is scheduled for December 31, 2027.