The water meter replacement project continues for the City of Levelland as the Council approved their next payment request from AMERESCO in the amount of $89,948.19.
There have been roughly 1,494 meters installed as of May 15.
City Manager James Fisher provided an update regarding the project to the Council during their Monday meeting.
Fisher stated the project is going well aside from a couple of minor mishaps and one big mishap.
He explained that a new meter was installed without notifying the owner. As a result, a vacant building being used for storage had flooded. City staff responded to turn the meter off and helped with the initial cleanup.
One of the bigger concerns Fisher presented to the Council was access to the water meter boxes as citizens may need to turn on or off their water for a variety of reasons.
The new meter boxes are locked and require a key. Fisher explained that this is because the meters are a huge investment but under the circumstance of an emergency the customers are concerned about turning it off as soon as possible and not waiting.
The current city policy states only the City may turn on or off the water meters.
However, there was a general consensus from the Council that the policy has not been enforced for a considerable amount of time.
One reason for the lock on the water meter box lid is there could be damaged components if the lid is not removed carefully.
Fisher showed the Council during the meeting the process in which the lid is removed from the water meter box and what components could be susceptible to damage.
The Council shared their concerns about there being leaks and home renovations which citizens would want to be able to turn the water meters off on their own account.
Fisher explained that the concern revolves around a citizen potentially pulling too hard on the lid and ripping or damaging a cord that is attached to the bottom of the lid and the meter. The cord is connected to a box that assists in allowing the needed radio feed for collecting meter data.
If that were to happen then the citizen would be responsible for all damage costs. Fisher reassured that they are notified if the meter is tampered with.
Fisher added that they are trying to find an application for customers to turn on and off their meter, but the City has not found an app that works for them.
The other concern is how many people will have access to a phone or internet to access this app.
“Our other issue is that not every person will have access to this app,” said Mayor Breann Buxkemper. “So, if it’s 30 degrees outside and my meter is frozen but I don’t have access to the app, what happens then?”
Fisher explained that a staff can put together a new policy that allows for citizens to access their meters and can adjust the lids before the project is completed. Currently, the lids must be locked to close securely.
With Fisher addressing the Council regarding the subject, he advised it would be best to adjust the lids now before all meters had been swapped.
“This is what we’re used to and it’s the friendliest thing to do,” said Buxkemper.
Wanting to be accommodating for citizens, the Council and Fisher did cover scenarios if there are repeat offenders who cannot access their meter without damaging them.