Water meters to be replaced in Dain City, Cooks Mills

Welland will spend nearly $ 450,000 to replace 925 water meters in Dain City, Cooks Mills and Broadway areas of the city

According to a report coming before city councillors tonight, the areas represent meter- reading routes best suited to switch from walk- by to drive- by, and upon completion in early 2018, meter reading can be handed over to city staff.

The report says the old meters will be replaced by radio- frequency ( RF) meters, meaning they can be read in a vehicle passing down the road within a 200- metre range. It also says billing in those areas will switch to monthly from quarterly in the second quarter of the new year and that cost savings are expected.

Each month, residents will be presented monthly usage information on their bills, allowing them to detect any leaks or unexpected usage much quicker.

Between 2005 and 2009, 14,000 residential water meters were installed in the city and most are coming near their end of life.

The report says the city will look at replacing all of them over a number of years with the RF meters. It also says once a substantial number of meters are replaced, the city could consider installing a municipally- dedicated cell network system to read them.

Staff are recommending Neptune Technology Group ( Canada) be awarded the $ 449,788.27 contract for the 925 meters, due to the amount of the company’s meters and equipment in use in the city already. Staff also recommend an additional $ 180,000 be used from the water meter replacement/ maintenance general reserve fund.

Tonight’s committee meeting begins at 7 at Welland Civic Square.