The Town of Sims is scheduled to begin the replacement of resident’s current water meters with new radio read meters starting Monday, Sept 9th. During this time, you may each experience a very brief water outage while the meter at your particular location is being switched. If you are experiencing discolored water after the installation is complete, please let your cold water run for several minutes until it runs clear again. Due to Federal Regulation, it is required that the service line on the resident's side be inspected. This may require some very slight digging near the meter box. The installation company is taking precaution as to not to disturb your lawn any more than is required. If you have questions about this process, please see the door hanger left at your residence. There you will find a contact number and more information. Below you will find frequently asked questions about the new meters.
Is there a charge for this service?
No. The meters are being replaced at no charge to the customer. However, these new meters will have a transmitter coming from the meter box. If the transmitter is ever damaged during lawn maintenance or negligence on the resident’s behalf, the cost to repair or replace it will be billed to the resident or business owner.
Why do I need a new meter?
Reading the old meters was very labor intensive and time consuming. The new meters will more accurately report consumption and provide the Town and its residents with a more accurate usage report.
How does the new meter reading system work?
The new meters are fitted with a radio device that transmits readings and data using drive-by technology.
Will my water bill go up?
Older meters tend to run slower and therefore do not measure all the water going through them. The new water meter will accurately measure even the smallest amounts of water that the old meters were not capable of registering. All new meters are tested at the factory to ensure that they register properly. If you see a higher bill, it is not because your new meter is reading too high; it is because the old meter was running slow. The Town will not back bill customers because their old meter was running slow, but all customers with new meters will now pay for their actual usage.
Will the timing of my water bills change?
There will be no change to your monthly billing period at this time. Your first bill after the new meter is installed will reflect charges for the consumption on your old meter to the point it was removed and the new meter starting at zero to whatever it reads when we read for your billing cycle. Subsequent months will, as in the past, show usage on your bill card.
How do I know that you have my reading and not someone else’s?
Each radio frequency device has a unique identification number, which is transmitted along with the meter reading. The unique identification number is compared to your account record to ensure that there is a match.
Why are we going to a new system?
To provide a more accurate recording of water consumption and a more cost effective way of transmitting that consumption data. In addition, this program will be more efficient and accurate as meter readers will no longer manually read each meter to get consumption data and will increase our ability to respond to customer inquiries. Also, leaks in the water system or in individual homes or businesses will be identified very quickly, and overall billing will become more efficient as well as monthly reporting.
How long with the meter installation take?
Under normal circumstances, the installation will take about 30 minutes. The water will need to be turned off at the meter during the exchange. Please be advised that there may be some trapped air or slight discoloration in the water line that may result from the change out. This will clear up after running your water for a few minutes. You may hear some noise as the air exits spigots and fixtures. This is normal.
How will I know your installer works for you?
All installers will be in clearly marked vehicles. Both their cars and clothing will be marked AMI.