The cost-share grant was awarded by the LCRA to Pflugerville to help update the current meters to an advanced metering infrastructure.
“As a utility, the grant will allow us to automate a lot of our meters that currently require staff to drive around for readings,” Pflugerville Public Utility Director Brandon Pritchett said. “The new automated system will free them up to assist customers and will alert us to any red flags and help us better address our water conservation measures.”
Additionally, the grant allots a portion to creating the customer portal, where customers can keep track of their water use in real time. While water use can be monitored throughout the billing cycle in the portal, Pritchett said it could also help customers cut back or find a water leak.
The project, which cost a total of $8 million, will decrease potable water use while conserving the Highland Lakes water. Annually, the city of Pflugerville expects the project will save 30.2 million gallons of water per year.
“Installing efficient, water-saving infrastructure and technology helps decrease water waste and conserve water from the Highland Lakes,’’ LCRA Executive Vice President John Hofmann said. “Large projects like this can make a real difference in water conservation efforts.”
The grant was provided by the LCRA’s Firm Water Conservation Cost-Share Program.
