The city of Shenandoah will replace its drive-by water metering system with a new system for $2.04 million, a figure higher than the $1.5 million originally planned, but one that officials said is needed.
The city approved infrastructure company Ameresco for construction on the new system, which will be Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI, and will provide hourly data on water usage to residents and city staff.
City Council unanimously approved the expense at the May 13 meeting following a presentation by Chad Nobles, representing Ameresco. He said work on the system would begin in August and take about three to four months to install about 1,700 meters.
What it means
The improvements will reduce water loss as well as give each customer access to an information portal allowing them to track water consumption, receive alerts about leaks and monitor remotely, according to information at the meeting. Information will be relayed from the meters via secure cellular data transmission, reducing staff hours needed for traveling and re-reading meters, according to meeting agenda information.
“You’re going to be able to know ... how much water you used when you used your irrigation system,” Nobles said, citing several examples of water usage. “It’s going to help staff ... respond to your citizens and businesses a lot faster, because they’re going to have data.”
The system will also allow monitoring of water pressures and other details, he said.
The ongoing work to extend water and sewer utilities to Tamina will be on the same system, to be paid for through the federal funding for that project, officials said.
City Finance Director Lisa Wasner said the original $1.5 million projection was an estimate to get it into the budget, but the amount needed over that will come from sources including the water and sewer reserve funds.
“We are good to balance this project ... out of the available cash in water and sewer,” Wasner said.
The city will also see an annual fee associated with the software and customer portal, which will be $17,252 in the first year, Nobles said.
Council member Frank Robinson said resident education will be needed for the new system. Officials said water bills will not look different for residents. A utility rate increase was approved by City Council last year.
Another thing
The May 13 meeting also saw the swearing-in of re-elected Mayor John Escoto and council member Frank Robinson, as well as newly elected council member Ernest Sumrall, all of whom were elected May 2. A ceremonial swearing-in with Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough will be held May 27.
Charles Bradt was unanimously selected as the mayor pro tem.
