Welcome to the City of Maple Grove
|
Water Meter Replacement Project
Maple Grove City Council has awarded a project to Ferguson Water Works, for the replacement of about 16,000 manual read water meters with meters utilizing Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology. There are about 6,000 AMR water meters in use which would not be replaced at this time. The cost to modernize the system is funded through water utility funds and anticipated operational efficiencies.
The project will make the utility billing process more convenient for customers and improve operational efficiencies. About 6,000 accounts require residents to complete and mail in a self-read card on a quarterly basis. The other accounts included in the project are read by City employee using touch pad technology, which is fragile and no longer supported by manufacturers. Many of the meters included in the project exceed their 20-year effective life. The project will improve reliability of reads, allow more frequent readings at less physical effort and cost, and reduce effort expended on call-out services such as property transfers.
The AMR technology, similar to that utilized by gas and electric utilities for a number of years, uses radio signals to transmit meter readings to collection devices where the information is stored and downloaded to the utility billing data base. The water meter replacement project will use equipment installed at fixed locations to read the radio signals. The existing AMR water meters in the system are read by mobile drive-by technology; and are projected to eventually be replaced with fixed read meters in about 10 to 15 years.
The water meter replacement project is to be completed in phases coordinated by area of billing cycle. It’s anticipated that work will begin in August 2012. Residents will be notified to schedule an appointment with Ferguson Water Works, to arrange a time for its crews to enter homes and perform the work. Most installation issues, if any, will likely be resolved through Ferguson Water Works; however City staff will assist with water shut-offs if necessary and other issues which may arise.
Additional information will soon be posted on-line or provided in notice letters sent out by Ferguson Water Works.
|
|
|
City Happenings
|