CCP 05-23-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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"'.v... , . CITY OF ARDEN HILI8 ~ DATE: May 19, 1994 TO: Dorothy A. Person, City Administrator FRCM: Dan WiIlkel, Public Works SuperinteDdent stJBJEX:T : Recatmerldation to replace all exi.stiIlg residential water meters . I am recc:mrending that the City OJuncil consider the replacement of all existing residential water meters. The on-going study of the current meters and meter reading technology being used indicates that the replacement of the meters and outside readers will inprove efficiency of the entire system. New technology will also help to reduce time currently used to prepare and mail utility bills. In 1990 the Finance Camtittee identified a discrepancy between the . water Arden Hills purchased frc:m RDseville, and the arrount of water billed to Arden Hills custcmers. Staff has conducted an on-going evaluation of the current residential water meter system and have found the following conditions: - The older sty Ie of mechanical meters have been in use for an average of approxirnatel y 15 years. The efficiency of the meters has dropped well below the Anerican Water Works Association standards for proper operation. Staff conducted a randcm sarrple and testing of meters and found that over 50% did not meet minimum standards for various flow rates. - A meter reading card was sent to all residents asking them to read the inside meter and also the outside rerrote reader . ApprcxillBtely 35% of the cards were returned, and, clearly indicated that a llBjOrity of the meters and readers had large discrepancies between the tw:l. Alrrost all of the discrepancies showed much less water registered on the outside reader compared to the actual usage registered on the inside meter. The City had assumed that the meters and readers had w:lrked rrore acarrate1y and . 1M:JUld not vary by rrore than a few percent. There are various reasons and mechanical problems that have been