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MOUNDS VIEW of Mounds View Staff R1 Item No: XX Meeting Date: Sept 7, 2021 Type of Business: WS Administrator Review: To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Don Peterson, Director of Public Works/Parks and Recreation Item Title/Subject: Water Meter Replacement Program Background/Discussion: One of the most important services provided by Public Works is a reliable source of drinking water for the community. The cost associated with doing this is significant with over $55 million invested by the City of Mounds View in the infrastructure (tower, mains, wells, and treatment plants), an additional $6.2 million in calendar years 2021-2022 to upgrade and rehabilitate our three water treatment plants, and yearly operational costs of just over $500,000. The City knows exactly how much water is pumped out of the ground based on data from the meters at each well. The ability to validate or reconcile how much water use or loss there may be is accomplished thru metering on the user end. We are able to accurately estimate unmetered flows as they are typically limited to hydrant flushing and fire suppression. All remainder water use should go through a water meter. We also know the current difference between our measured pumping and our metered billing is greater than the estimated unmetered flow, the difference can only be inaccurate meters and leaks in the line. Commercial meters are, in most cases, from their initial installation and are over 40 years old; multi -family meters would fall under the same category and should also be compound meters in which most are not. The average "life" of a meter is between 20-25 years. Water meters were last replaced in 1996 — 1997 therefore they will be 26 years old. In 2007 - 2008 the meter readers were replaced due to the result of losing 1,300 readings in one year. Staff has researched the new meter and reader technology and selected the Muller water meter with the AMI radio reading system. Staff in coordination with the City Attorney, developed a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the meter replacement program. In the RFP the vendor would be required to supply and replace all the residential meters, while Public Works Staff would replace the Commercial water meters. The RFP also includes new radio reading technology with the potential of fixed antenna(s) to read the meters. This would eliminate the need for Public Works Staff to drive the City and collect the readings off the water meters. The Mounds View Vision A Thriving Desirable Community