New Water Meters Installed

In addition to the warmer temperatures, Roswell water customers have something else to look forward to as well: new water meters.

New, state-of-the-art water meters are being installed at homes of Roswell water customers now, according to Stuart Moring, director of the Public Works/Environmental Department with the city of Roswell. And some existing meters, which already have the newer technology in place, will not have to be replaced but will be retrofitted with transmitters.

The new meters are equipped to send water usage information to the city through an electronic data collection system. The readings upload water flow information into a data bank daily.

“That way, if there is some anomaly in the reading, as might be caused by a leak, it can be detected within one day before a great deal of water is wasted [since] Water Division staff will have systems to monitor the readings and will advise customers of significant changes in readings,” said Moring, who pointed out that the city already does reveal strange readings to customers after bi-monthly checks. However, “this will allow much more frequent checking.”

In the future, customers will be able to purchase their own system monitors to keep up with their usage, according to Moring.

The meters not only have the potential to save customers money, they will also save the city money in the long run. Though the city took out a $1.5 million loan from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority to cover the cost of the meters, $750,000 – or half – does not have to be repaid because it is considered a “green” project.

“It is a green project because it will greatly facilitate water conservation, but also eliminates the vehicle and staff time associated with manually reading the meters on a bi-monthly basis,” Moring said.

All of the new meters are expected to be fully installed by the end of August.

For more information, please contact Chris Boyd or Alice Champagne at 770-641-3707.