Water Meter Replacement Project
Dear Customer,
The Township of Nutley has begun another phase in improving customer service delivery to each water customer through our Water Meter Replacement and Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) Project. In December 2011, the Township will begin replacing water meters. The new water meters will be equipped with radio transmitting devices that will enable us to read your meter from a handheld data collection device equipped to receive and store the reading. However, there may be certain circumstances when the Township will need to access property to inspect or repair the water meter. The new system will allow the Township to provide timely and accurate responses to your water meter reading inquiries. Over the next 18 months, every residence in Nutley will be upgraded with the new AMR system.
The benefits of an automatic meter reading system include:
- Increase productivity and reduced meter reading costs.
- Provide accurate usage reports ensuring accurate bills.
- Provide efficiencies in the billing which will allow for improved customer service.
- Increase revenues with more accurate and timely billing.
- Minimizes the need for anyone to regularly access your property to read your water meter.
The Township of Nutley is committed to providing our customers and the community with high quality drinking water through prompt service, courteous and helpful communication, and excellence in the distribution of our most valued resource… water.
Dr. Joseph P. Scarpelli
Director, Department of Public Works
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is an AMR Project?
The AMR stands for Automatic Meter Reading (AMR). The township-wide project will replace all meters with new, state of the art meters with radio frequency (RF) devices that will allow the Township of Nutley to obtain meter readings without entering your property. The RF device will reduce the need for us to come into your property to read your water meter.
Where is my water meter?
The vast majority of water meters are located inside the building in the basement, usually along the front wall of your property.
Why do I need a new meter?
Many of the water meters are over 25 years old. Older meters are less accurate and more costly to maintain, and require a crew member to enter your property to read the meter.
My meter works fine, does it have to be upgraded?
Yes. In order to take advantage of the new technology, efficiencies, and cost-savings that the AMR system will provide, all water meters in the Township will be changed out. Newer meters will be retrofitted with a RF meter head.
Will the timing of my water bills change?
There is no change in the regular billing process. You will continue to be billed as you have before.
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 ID number is compared to your account record to ensure that there is a match.
How do you know that my reading is accurate?
The new meters are tested before installation. These state of the art water meters have electronic registers, which verifies the meter reading before it is sent to the transmitting unit. This reading is deemed more accurate than visually reading the meter.
How do I know if higher usage may be a result of a leak in my plumbing system?
A new, more accurate meter may detect small leaks that the older meter missed. Check faucets for small drips. Also check your toilet tank for small leaks in the toilet bowl. You may want to place a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the water in the bowl changes to the color of dye used in the tank (without flushing), you have a leak. Seek assistance from your local home improvement center or plumbing professional to fix all such leaks.
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 the water that you use. All new meters are tested at the factory to ensure that they register properly. If you see a higher bill, it is usually not because your new meter is reading too high; it is because the old meter was running slow and did not count all the water through it.
What will this cost?
There is no additional charge to you for the meter replacement/upgrade.
Do I have to be home for the process?
Yes, or someone 18 or over. We can not enter anyone’s home without someone being home.
How long will the meter installation take?
Under normal circumstances, the installation will take 30 minutes. The water will have to be turned off for about 10 to 20 minutes until the meter is changed. Please be advised that there may be some trapped air or slight discoloration in the water line. This will clear up after running your water for a few moments. You may hear some noise as the air exits spigots and fixtures. This is normal.
What will happen to my old water meter?
Your old meter will be taken by the installer and stored for 6 months and then recycled. This is done should there be any disagreements regarding prior water consumption.
What if we have a leak after the meter is installed?
The Township of Nutley will make every effort to dispatch service personnel as quickly as possible to determine the cause of the leak and to take appropriate action. You may call the Water Department office at 973-284-4984 during normal working hours (8:00AM – 4:00 PM Monday thru Friday).
