By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The $2.4 million water meter project in Great Bend is coming to a close, with a few of the larger water meters still needing to be installed with the Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI). The automated meter readers expect to generate up to a 3% increase in revenue with the elimination of aged water meters that have lost accuracy.
Suggested at the Great Bend City Council meeting, Public Works Director Jason Cauley said staff will perform a walkthrough prior to the Oct. 6 contract date with Zenner USA.
"At this point, we still have a meter reader go out and do some reading as well," said Cauley. "That could be something we have her do to double check all of those meters."
The new digital program sends the meter reading to the water department’s billing office, eliminating the need for staff members to walk around town gathering the readings.
The switch to the AMI system caused 156 leaks throughout town. In early August, city crews had that number down to 36. Cauley said as of Wednesday afternoon, the number of reported leaks related to the AMI transfer is at 29.
"We are dwindling those numbers," said Cauley. "They are some still out there. Last week, we were on a hold because we replaced the fire hydrant near the Barton County Sheriff's Office. This week we're getting back on those leaks."
Property owners with leaks from the recent transition have been able to get the extra expense written off their bills.