If you live in Minnetonka and recently received a letter about replacing your water meter, you’re not alone.

The City of Minnetonka began a multi-year water meter replacement program in 2024 to replace aging water meters throughout the city. The overall program involves thousands of Minnetonka homes and businesses, and the city plans to replace approximately 9,000 remaining residential water meters during 2026.

The good news for homeowners is that installation of the new water meter itself comes at no cost to the property owner. However, there is an important catch: your existing plumbing must be ready for the new meter.

If the shutoff valves around your water meter don’t work, leak, or the plumbing around the meter needs to be corrected before the new meter can be installed, those plumbing repairs are generally the homeowner’s responsibility. Here is what Minnetonka homeowners should know before scheduling their water meter replacement.

Why Is Minnetonka Replacing Water Meters?

Many of Minnetonka’s existing water meters are reaching the end of their useful life. In addition, batteries in some of the radio transmitters used to remotely read the meters are beginning to fail. The city’s new meters are designed to provide more accurate water-usage information and transmit data more frequently.

According to the City of Minnetonka, the new meters will transmit usage information approximately every six to eight hours. The city also expects to make a web portal available that will allow property owners to monitor water usage and potentially identify leaks or unusual water consumption more quickly.

The replacement program began in 2024 and is expected to take approximately four years. During 2026, Minnetonka plans to replace approximately 9,000 remaining residential meters. The city has contracted with Ferguson Waterworks and RMR Services to perform meter installations.

Does the Minnetonka Water Meter Replacement Cost Homeowners Anything?

The replacement water meter and its installation are provided at no cost to the homeowner. However, the plumbing connected to your meter is a different matter.

Minnetonka requires water services to have working shutoff valves on both sides of the water meter. If a valve is missing, doesn’t shut the water off completely, leaks when operated, or otherwise needs repair, the homeowner may need to hire a licensed plumber before the city’s contractor can install the new meter.

There may also be circumstances where plumbing around the water meter needs to be corrected to meet applicable plumbing requirements before the installation can be completed. That means there are potentially two separate costs: water meter replacement, which is covered through the city’s replacement program, and repairs or modifications to privately owned plumbing, which are generally the property owner’s responsibility.

The City of Minnetonka notes that a basic shutoff valve replacement may cost approximately $300–$600, depending on the number and size of the valves. In practice, homeowners may pay more when the work involves multiple valves, older piping, permitting requirements, curbside water shutoff, or corrections to bring mid-century plumbing up to code. For a more complete water meter preparation project, a reasonable planning range is approximately $900–$1,600, depending on the existing plumbing and amount of work required.

The best way to avoid surprises is to have a licensed plumber inspect the entire meter setup and provide an upfront price prior to beginning the work.

What Should I Do After Receiving My Minnetonka Water Meter Replacement Letter?

The process is relatively straightforward if your existing plumbing is in good condition.

Step 1: Wait Until You Receive Your Water Meter Replacement Notice

Minnetonka asks residents not to schedule a meter replacement until they have received notification that their property is part of the current replacement phase. You should receive a letter from the City of Minnetonka or its water meter replacement contractors with instructions for scheduling your appointment. Once you receive that letter, don’t immediately schedule the installation without first looking at your existing meter and shutoff valves.

Step 2: Test Your Water Meter Shutoff Valve

Locate your water meter, which is typically found near the point where the water service enters your home. There should be shutoff valves associated with the meter installation, and Minnetonka requires working valves on both sides of the meter. Carefully test the shutoff valve before scheduling your meter replacement. You are looking for a few things:

Does the valve operate normally?

Does it completely shut off the water?

Does the valve leak when you operate it?

Is there a working valve on both sides of the meter?

Is the water meter area accessible and in good condition?

If everything works properly, you may be ready to schedule your water meter replacement. If a valve doesn’t move, doesn’t completely shut the water off, starts leaking, or you’re unsure about its condition, don’t force it. Older gate valves and other aging plumbing components can fail when they’re operated after sitting untouched for years. That’s the point where it makes sense to call a licensed plumber.

Step 3: If the Valves Don’t Work, Call a Licensed Minnetonka Plumber

If your water meter shutoff valves aren’t functioning properly, they should be repaired or replaced before the meter installation. This is also a good time to have the plumber evaluate the entire water meter configuration.

Why? Because replacing a valve may not necessarily be the only issue with an older meter installation. Current plumbing requirements address items such as meter location, accessibility, support, valves, and the configuration of the piping surrounding the meter. Minnesota’s plumbing code also contains specific requirements regarding the installation height and accessibility of water meters. A licensed plumber can determine what requirements apply to your particular installation and whether anything else should be corrected while the water is already shut off, which can potentially save you from paying for multiple visits.

Why You Should Check the Entire Meter Installation Before Repairing Just One Valve

Imagine that the city’s meter installer arrives and determines that your existing shutoff valve doesn’t work. You hire a plumber to replace the valve. Then, when the meter installation or required plumbing inspection takes place, another issue is identified with the existing meter piping. Now the plumber may have to return, potentially requiring another water shutoff, another appointment, and additional labor. A better approach is to have the plumber evaluate the valves and the overall water meter installation at the same time.

Ask your plumber: “Is there anything else about this water meter installation that needs to be corrected for the City of Minnetonka before my new meter is installed?”

A qualified plumber should be able to explain what is required and why. This is one reason Lucky Dog Sewer & Drain evaluates the plumbing surrounding the meter rather than simply quoting a valve replacement without looking at the complete installation.

Step 4: Complete Any Necessary Plumbing Repairs

If repairs are necessary, they should generally be completed before your new water meter appointment. Depending on the work involved, the plumbing contractor may also need to coordinate a city water shutoff at the curb.

Minnetonka Public Works asks for advance notice when water needs to be shut off at the curb for plumbing work, and the city currently indicates that approximately one to two business days of notice may be needed. Plumbing work may also require a permit and inspection through the City of Minnetonka depending on the work being performed. The plumbing repairs and water meter replacement take approximately 3–5 hours, and the earliest the work can begin is 9 a.m. on weekdays only due to the City of Minnetonka’s scheduling.

When Lucky Dog performs qualifying water meter preparation work, we coordinate required permits and the city water shutoff as part of the job, so the homeowner doesn’t have to manage those steps independently. If possible, we also coordinate the water meter replacement itself.

Step 5: Schedule Your New Minnetonka Water Meter Installation

Once your shutoff valves and meter piping are ready, you can schedule the meter replacement using the instructions provided in your letter.

According to the City of Minnetonka, residential meter replacements generally take approximately 30–45 minutes, and the home’s water is typically shut off for approximately 10 minutes during the installation. Curbside water shutoff needs to be scheduled with the City of Minnetonka at least 48 hours in advance. Appointments are offered Monday through Friday, with evening and weekend appointments available by request. Before the appointment, make sure the area surrounding your meter is clear and easily accessible.

Can Lucky Dog Coordinate the Plumbing Repair and Water Meter Replacement?

In some cases, yes.

One of the frustrating parts of this project for homeowners can be coordinating several different parties: the homeowner, a licensed plumbing contractor, Minnetonka Public Works, the city’s permitting or inspection department, and Ferguson Waterworks or RMR Services for the actual meter replacement.

If Lucky Dog Sewer & Drain is hired to perform the plumbing work, we’ll handle as much of that coordination as possible. That can include evaluating your existing shutoff valves and the plumbing surrounding your water meter, explaining what needs to be repaired and why, replacing failed or leaking water shutoff valves, correcting applicable plumbing issues associated with the meter installation, coordinating required plumbing permits and the curbside water shutoff with Minnetonka, and helping coordinate the city’s meter replacement when scheduling allows.

When possible, we can also work with the city and its contractors to determine whether the plumbing work and meter replacement can be coordinated as efficiently as possible. Our goal is simple: minimize the number of appointments you have to manage and make the Minnetonka water meter replacement process as easy as possible.

Do I Need a Licensed Plumber for My Minnetonka Water Meter Replacement?

You do not need to hire your own plumber simply to have the city’s new meter installed if your existing plumbing is already ready for the replacement. However, if your shutoff valves need to be installed, repaired, or replaced, or plumbing around the meter needs modification, you should use a licensed plumbing contractor.

The City of Minnetonka specifically instructs homeowners to hire a licensed plumber when a shutoff valve needs installation or repair. Using a licensed plumbing contractor also helps ensure that the repair is evaluated against applicable Minnesota and Minnetonka plumbing requirements rather than simply replacing the visibly failed part.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnetonka Water Meter Replacement

Is Minnetonka’s water meter replacement free?

Yes. According to the City of Minnetonka, installation of the city’s replacement water meter comes at no cost to homeowners and businesses. Any necessary repairs or modifications to the property’s plumbing are separate and may be the property owner’s responsibility.

Who is replacing Minnetonka’s water meters?

The City of Minnetonka has contracted with Ferguson Waterworks and RMR Services to perform meter installations.

How many Minnetonka water meters are being replaced in 2026?

The city says approximately 9,000 remaining residential meters are scheduled to be replaced during the 2026 phase of the program.

Do I need working shutoff valves before my meter is replaced?

Yes. Minnetonka requires working shutoff valves on both sides of the water meter.

What happens if my water meter shutoff valve doesn’t work?

You’ll generally need to have the valve repaired or replaced before your new meter can be installed. The City of Minnetonka recommends hiring a licensed plumber for this work.

How much does it cost to replace a water meter shutoff valve in Minnetonka?

The City of Minnetonka states that local plumbers typically charge approximately $300–$600 for a standard replacement, depending on the size and number of valves. Actual pricing can vary significantly if additional plumbing modifications, permits, water shutoff coordination, or code corrections are required.

How long does the new water meter installation take?

The city estimates approximately 30–45 minutes for a typical residential installation, with the water normally shut off for approximately 10 minutes.

Should I schedule my meter replacement before calling a plumber?

If you’ve received your replacement notice, first verify that your shutoff valves work properly. If they don’t, or if you’re uncertain about the condition of the meter piping, it can be more efficient to have a licensed plumber evaluate the installation before scheduling the meter replacement.

Need Help Preparing for Your Minnetonka Water Meter Replacement?

If you’ve received your City of Minnetonka water meter replacement letter and discovered that your shutoff valves don’t work, leak, or you’re simply not sure whether your existing installation is ready, Lucky Dog Sewer & Drain can help.

We’re a local, veteran-owned plumbing, sewer, and drain company serving Minnetonka and the west metro. We can inspect your existing meter setup, identify necessary repairs, provide an upfront estimate, complete the plumbing work, and coordinate applicable permitting and water shutoff requirements with the City of Minnetonka.

Received your Minnetonka water meter replacement notice? Contact Lucky Dog Sewer & Drain to schedule an evaluation of your water meter shutoff valves and plumbing before your installation appointment.

Information in this article is based on City of Minnetonka and Minnesota plumbing requirements available as of August 29, 2026. Requirements and project procedures can change. Homeowners should follow the instructions contained in their individual replacement notice and current city guidance.