Water meter installation to begin immediately, says city

News — 16 November 2010

Water meter installation will begin immediately, says the City of Dryden.

Council passed a bylaw at their regular meeting Nov. 15 following a report presented by Mike Louttit, Director of Engineering and Public Works for the city of Dryden.

The report outlines that the city will provide the meters and installation of the meters, at no charge to the owner of the premises within the city of Dryden during the designated installation period of November 15, 2010 to March 31, 2011.

The city was successful in obtaining a grant, which pays for two-thirds of the cost of the meters and installation. The remaining one-third will be covered by the water utility over time as part of the water user fee.

If property owners refuse the installation of the meter in the approved time frame, they could face an additional fee of up to two times the existing water and sewer rate and will be responsible for all costs associated with the purchase and installation of the meter.

For new owners who become connected to the city of Dryden water distribution system after March 31, 2011, the cost of the meter and all costs associated with the installation of the meter shall be paid by the property owner.

If the meter is ever mechanically defective, the cost of repairs shall be paid by the city, but if the meter is damaged by carelessness or neglect of any person other than an employee or agent of the city, the owner of the premises shall pay to the city the cost of making the necessary repairs.

Consideration will be made for the homeowners who relocated to warmer climates for the winter months, and are unable to meet the designated timeline for installation.

Council has not yet decided on the cost structure of billing with the new meters, but has agreed that a monthly bill shadowing is a good idea. Your regular flat rate invoice will have a “shadow invoice” included to allow the homeowner some time to adjust to the new metering process and see the actual cost of usage. This is proposed to be in place for roughly three to six months before the actual usage billing will commence.

Installation will require the contractor or city personnel access to the home or business, but once installation is complete, readings from the meter will be transmitted via a radio transmitter on the meter and collected by a radio reading device within a city of Dryden vehicle driving by on a monthly basis. City of Dryden employees need not enter the premise to read the meter.

An open house will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 4-9 p.m. at the Recreation Centre with city staff as well as Neptune Water Meters to answer any questions the public may have regarding the installation and implementation of the meters.

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Users to pay for water meter installation