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<br /> . <br /> tI' <br /> . CI'lY OF ARDEN BILLS <br /> MEMJRANCllM <br /> DATE: May 19, 1994 <br /> TO: Dorothy A. Person, City lvlmi.,i sttat:= <br /> FRCM: Dan W.mkel, Public \'i:lrks Superintecdent <br /> stlBJEX::T : RecaImeCdation to replace all elCi.sting residential water <br /> meters . <br /> I am reccmnending that the City Council ccnsider the replacement of <br /> all existing residential water meters. The on-going study of the <br /> current meters. and meter reading technolcgy being used indicates that <br /> the replacement of the meters and outside readers will inprove <br /> efficiency of the entire system. New technolcgy will also help to <br /> reduce time currently used to prepare and trail utility bills. <br /> In 1990 the Finance CCmnittee identified a discrepancy bet'M:en the <br /> . water Arden Hills purchased frcm Roseville. and the am:lUrlt of water <br /> billed to Arden Hills custc:rrers. Staff has conducted an on-going <br /> evaluation of the current residential water meter system and haV'e <br /> found the following ccnditions: <br /> - The older style of mechanical meters have been in use for <br /> an aV'erage of approximately 15 years. The efficiency of <br /> the meters has dropped well belON the Arrerican Water Works <br /> Association standards for proper operation. Staff <br /> ccnducted a randcrn santlle and testing of meters and found <br /> that over 50%' did not meet minimum standards for various <br /> flow rates. <br /> - A meter reading card was sent to all residents asking them <br /> to read the inside meter and also the outside rerrote <br /> reader. Approximately 35%' of the cards were returned, <br /> and, clearly indicated that a majority of the meters and <br /> readers had large discrepancies bet'M:en.the tw:>. Alrrost <br /> all of the discrepancies showed lIU.lCh less water registered <br /> on the outside reader CCl1p3r8d to the actual usage <br /> registered on the inside meter. The City had assurred that <br /> the meters and readers had w:>rked [lOre ac=ately and <br /> w:>uld not vary by mere than a few percent. There are <br /> . various reasons and mechanical problems that have been <br />