“This will help the city become more efficient in being able to read people’s water meters, and increase the accuracy and efficiency of the readings,” said Huber Heights City Engineer Russ Bergman.
Under the old system, residents received two estimated monthly readings, and an accurate reading the third month. With the new meters, residents will receive an accurate reading every month. This should help pinpoint problems such as leaks in a more timely manner.
The city will notify the residents on their bills and with flyers in the door. It will take one to two hours to replace each meter. The contractors will knock on the door and ask the resident to turn off the water during the replacement. If the resident is doing laundry or otherwise using water, the city will give the resident time to finish the job before shutting off the water.
Bergman said the city does not plan an increase in rates for a year or two. He said the city has not yet decided how it will pay for the new meters.
He said they probably would be paid for through the water reserve fund, or the city will take out a loan.
United Water will be doing the changeover. The company contracts with cities to handle their water sytems, repair problems in treatment plants and send out the bills.
Contact this reporter at joanneclodfelter@ameritech.net
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