The issue the City is currently experiencing is with the reliability of the remote-meter-reading devices (the cream colored boxes on the side of each building/residence in town). These devices transmit the water meter reading to the billing system each month. The meters continue to register the customer’s usage each month, but the reader does not transmit that reading to the billing system. To remedy this issue, operators are required to troubleshoot each of the readers.
As the City looks to replace the remote readers, we are also looking into replacing older water meters. There are a number of water meters in use that are approaching or are already beyond the manufacturer’s recommended lifecycle. These water meters tend to under register usage with age, resulting in inaccurate readings. This inaccurate information impacts system audits and leak detection efforts. Accounting for all water that the treatment plant pumps out is a priority for our system. Replacing these meters with newer and more accurate meters will assist us in doing so.
If you have any questions, please contact your Water Department at (641) 257-6315, or City Hall at (641) 257-6300.