The City of Waco is set to install 47,000 meters that allow customers to check water usage remotely in the next two months.
According to Waco Utility Services Public Relations Coordinator Jonathan Echols, 32,000 of the devices will be retrofitted and 12,000 of them will be completely changed.
“The meter that measures the water will be the exact same one. Historically, what we’ve found is that this meter is highly accurate. It’s the most accurate one that we have been able to find. That will not change. The only thing that changes is the way that meter gets read,” Echols said.
The advanced metering infrastructure system will allow crews to read meters without having to physically check them. Those workers will be shifted to different duties.
"With this new system, customers and we, as a utility, will have access to much more information much more quickly. In terms of water usage and times of usage and locations,” Echols said.
In addition, the city and customers can also receive alerts about potential leaks.
The Texas Water Development Board made the $12 million project possible.
The water and sewer rates have been increasing for Waco residents in the past years to pay for projects, such as this one.
For more information about the system, you can attend a meeting on August 2 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the South Waco Recreation Center.
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