CCP 09-20-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~~ . '1 \;;:0111 ARDEN HILLS RESIDENTIAL WATER METER REPLACEMENT PROJECT . Within the coming months the City Why do we need radio read meters? then be added to the homeowner's of Arden Hills will be replacing or Cities throughout the nation are water bill for the replaced valve, but upgrading all residential water converting all types of utility meters this must be done at the time that the meters, Those meters 10 years of age to some form of automatic reading new meter is installed. and older will be replaced with new technology, Radio read is best suited for meters with radio read capabilities. most applications. Currently, all six Why do I need the valve replaced? Those meters less than 10 years old Public Works employees spend about You do not. However, if you ever need will not be replaced, but will be one week each quarter, depending on to shut off your water in an emergency upgraded only to radio read weather, reading water meters. When or if you wish to replace an unvalved technology, the replacement/upgrade is completed it appliance or do other plumbing work, is expected that one person will be able having a reliable shut off valve is very Why is the City doing this now? to read the entire City in two days. useful. If the City is called to shut off Many of the City's 2350 residential the water at the curb, there is a $25,00 meters were installed in the late When will this project start and who charge. sixties and have outlived their will be doing it? intended life of 20 years, Each Meter replacement/upgrade will likely Why wouldn't I hire my own quarter following meter reads an start yet this year and be completed by plumber to replace a bad valve? average of 25 meters are identified January I, 2001. A Massachusetts The contracted meter installer has with some type of problem which Company, USI, will be doing the quoted the City for replacing a leads to repair or replacement. scheduling and installation, The goal is defective valve with a new quality that most installations can be valve. This price should be less than Who pays for the replacement or accomplished during normal working calling your plumber. The City does upgrade? hours, but expect some appointments encourage you to check prices if you The City has set aside a small portion after hours and on Saturdays, think you may have a defective valve, of each water bill for future maintenance, repairs, mid upgrades to Will I be without water during the Is there anyway I can tell if my the City water system. These monies installation? valves are subject to failure? . are available and will be used to Yes. However, a typical installation If you know your water ,service was cover the replacement. No additional with no problems will take less than y, installed between 1960 and 1975, and resident cost participation will be hour. your valves are the Red and White required. brand (i,e, the turning handle is actually What problems can there be? painted red and white). the failure rate What is this radio read technology? About the only problem installers expect is very high. You can also turn on any With a radio read meter, the reader is when defective valves on either side faucet then turn off the valve on the need only drive to the front of the of the water meter fail. This does not street side of the meter. If valve home in most instances, key in the allow the installer to easily shut off the operates smoothly and shuts water off code on the hand held interrogator water so the meter can be replaced. and on several times it is probably and the meter is awakened, In less okay, than a second the meter radios back What happens then? the identification number, tamper The installer has several options. He What is the next step for me? codes and gallons of water nsed, will have equipment to freeze the water Wait until you are contacted by a This information is then stored in the line where it enters the stmcturc, thus representative from the City's hand held interrogator and down shutting off the water. He can subcontractor, USI meter installation loaded into the billing files at the end temporarily crimp the water line, or he company, to schedule an appointment. of the day, can have the water shut off at the street. All meter installers and City Worker's Can these radio signals be harmful Will he then replace tbe defective associated with the water replacement to my health? valve? /upgrade will have USI or Arden Hills No. The meter will only generate The water meter itself is owned and ID tags and similar identified vehicles, a signal for about one second each maintained by the City. The valves on billing cycle when awakened by the each side of the meter are the property of Thank you in advance for your help (eader. This signal could be the homeowners. If the meter installer and cooperation in helping this project compared in strength to that of a encounters a faulty valve he will notify run as smoothly as possible. . garage door remote control. The rest the homeowner and give them the option of the time the meter radio of having it replaced at that time, A cost transmitter is in the sleep mode, of $86,00, including sales tax, would