The City of Winnipeg’s meter reading program starts today.

City staff will be visiting homes weekdays between 2:30 p.m. and dusk.

The city says each meter reader visiting homes will have photo ID, a hand-held computer, and a uniform with the City of Winnipeg logo. Homeowners are told to ask for identification before allowing a meter reader inside. Last week, Winnipeg Police said they’d received several complaints in April of males going door-to-door offering plumbing and filtration services and asking for access inside homes; police opened an investigation to determine the legitimacy of these house calls.

The city says their meter readers will knock at front and side doors only, never the back. Dogs must be secured in another room or kennel before the readers will enter a home.

The City of Winnipeg says it requires at least one accurate meter reading per year from each household. A meter reading card will be left for those who miss the city personnel.