Title
Water Meter Recommendation
History
In 1996, the Board decided to switch from the Badger meter manufacturers to Sensus meters. The standard meter used for small residential and commercial installation is the ¾” and 1” SR and SRII meters. These brass meters use mechanical measuring chambers with electronic registers to display and transmit meter readings. Due to recent IEPA regulatory changes, brass meter manufacturers can only sell “lead free” meters. These meters are more expensive than the previously manufactured brass meters that contained lead. Meter reading technology has also changed with the introduction of the lower cost iPerl meter with composite flow tube construction, fully electronic and non-mechanical meter.
The iPerl meter, with no moving parts, uses magmeter (electromagnetic) flow metering technology to measure the flow of water. The measuring capability is as low as .03 gallons per minute (gpm) up to 55 gpm. While malfunctions can occur in any meter reading system, several self-diagnostic alarm capabilities are included that are not available in mechanical meters. These include; battery alarm, EMF failure and predictive battery life alarm. In addition to the self-diagnostic features, several other capabilities include empty pipe, low and very low battery, low battery voltage, leak detected, reverse flow, magnetic tamper, and high temperature, along with various other self-diagnostic alarms.
When used in conjunction with the recently installed FlexNetTM meter reading network and SmartPoint transmitters, the opportunity for a robust customer portal becomes available. Depending on the provider chosen to implement the portal, customers can directly access their consumption and billing information and receive alerts via multiple communication methods including email, text and phone. Customers could set their own thresholds regarding the amount of money or water they don’t want to surpass during a billing period, and be notified directly about potential leaks in their system.
In 2013, the Public Works Utility Division initiated a trial installation of iPerl meters in the Sheffield Square Subdivision. To date, more than 60 meters have been installed with minimal problems. Earlier this year, a random sampling (15%) of meters were removed from service and sent to an independent firm for accuracy testing. All were found to be within American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards. Additionally, several communities were also surveyed regarding their experience with iPerl meters (survey results attached).
Current pricing of the iPerl is $105.00 for the ¾”, $159.00 for the 1” with a twenty year warranty versus $148.00 for the ¾” SRII and $195.00 for the 1” SRII with a ten year warranty. Initially, iPerls would be installed on all new construction and replacement of existing defective meters only. Within the next few years, based on the random testing of existing meters, a conversion program will be established based on funding availability.
The Village has over 20,000 meters that will need to be replaced over the next several years. iPerl meters cost less than the alternative SR & SRII brass replacement meters. Installing iPerl meters could yield a cost savings to the Village of $43.00 for every ¾” meter and $36.00 for every 1” meter replaced and/or installed. There has been $85,000 budgeted for water meters for FY2015.
On August 3, 2015, this item was reviewed and approved by the Public Works Committee and referred to the Board for approval.
Financial Impact
The Village budgets annually to replace water meters. The lower cost of the iPerl meter allows for a significant cost savings to the Village.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve to authorize staff to use Sensus iPerl water meters for all new and replacement water meter installations.