Information about installers posted on city’s website
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
In an effort to stay in compliance of standards set by the Public Service Commission and state Department of Natural Resources, Whitewater officials recently announced plans to upgrade a fraction of the water meters throughout the city.
Water Superintendent Rick Lien came before the council Jan. 21 and shared details of this year’s replacement initiative.
“We’d like to get this out of the way before the spring projects start,” he said.
Since the week of Jan. 27, Lien said crews have been out replacing 10 percent of the water meters. Affected property owners have been notified via a letter.
“The water meter is the cash register,” Lien said as he came before the council, explaining the rationale behind the effort. “We want to keep all of the meters up to date so that we can treat everybody fairly and equitably.”
The city’s water meter replacement program is part of a 10-year initiative that calls on the work to be conducted incrementally.
In addition to ensuring property owners have properly functioning meters, Lien said the initiative is a good opportunity to make note of how people are connected to the city’s clear water and wastewater systems.
“We want to make sure there aren’t any illegal or unknown connections between the two,” Lien said. “(Inspections) reduce the likelihood of any mix-ups.”
The city budgeted up to $17,000 on its 2014 municipal budget toward the expense.
St. Louis Park, Minn.-based Midwest Testing LLC has been issued a contract to oversee the replacement program. Lien said the police department has been made aware of Midwest Testing’s presence in the community.
Seven installers employed by Midwest Testing will be in the city while the meters are replaced. The professionals’ names, vehicles and license plates have been posted on the city’s website as reference.
According to the city, background checks have been conducted for each installer.
