By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The monthly water leak update took place Monday night at the Great Bend City Council meeting. Making the switch over to an automated reading system for water meters, many residents have experienced leaks because of the new infrastructure installed on their meter.
The switch to the Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) caused 156 leaks throughout town. City crews had that number down to 29 in September and Great Bend Public Works Director Jason Cauley said that number is down to 17 this month.
"We have signed up for five more this week to get fixed," said Cauley. "We're making progress."
Along with fixing leaks, public works department staff will be seen in alleyways.
"We are still in the process of alley repairs," said Cauley. "If you see a grader or Bobcat skid-steer in the alley with some millings, that's what we're doing. We're trying to bring our alleyways back up to par, at least the sand ones."
The $2.4 million water meter project sends a meter reading to the water department’s billing office, eliminating the need for staff members to walk around town gathering readings.