Elkins set to replace water meters | News, Sports, Jobs

ELKINS — Town of Elkins is starting the method of changing water meters all through the municipality. Elkins Operations Supervisor Bob Pingley stated the improve is important as a result of the know-how within the present remote-read meters is not dependable.

“There are electronics in them and they’re failing,” Pingley stated. “The clerks are having to estimate payments.”

Town has been estimating clients’ payments based mostly on the common of the latest 12 remote-read months, after which when a handbook studying is taken, the precise cumulative complete utilization is recorded and billed, the town’s web site states.

Pingley stated the present meters have been put in from 2004-2006 and have a remote-read mechanism that permits the meters to be learn by a pc.

“They ship out a sign and we’ve got a technician that drives round with a laptop computer to get the meter readings,” he stated. “Once they don’t learn, we’re not set as much as exit and skim the meters.”

Pingley stated each water and sewer payments are being affected as a result of the sewer invoice is predicated on water utilization

He famous the town is at present within the course of in placing collectively a bid bundle for the estimated $1.5 million challenge. Pingley defined funding for the challenge will come from left-over cash from the water remedy plant challenge from the U.S. Division of Agriculture.

“The USDA has given us till September of 2021 to get this completed,” Pingley stated.

On Feb. 6, Elkins Metropolis Council unanimously permitted the a proposal to use to USDA for permission to make use of roughly $2.1 million of remaining funds from the water plant challenge for varied different water-system expenditures. The substitute of the meters was listed as one of many potential makes use of. Different proposed makes use of of the funding embrace:

∫ Restore flood management levee at an estimated value of $300,000.

∫ Enhance water plant entry street for an estimated $50,000.

∫ Change water division’s growing old backhoe with new excavator for $140,000.

∫ Buy valve exerciser for the water division to allow common valve inspection and more practical pipe flushing for $100,000

∫ Inventory spare elements for water plant to keep away from unscheduled downtime for $100,000.

“It’s completely vital that we will monitor and ensure we’re getting the payments proper,” Pingley stated.

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