Water Meter Replacement Project Gets Nod of Approval from Maple Grove City Council

Aging water meters in residential properties throughout Maple Grove could be getting an upgrade within the next five years

The Maple Grove City Council approved a resolution at its Monday, June 6 meeting to establish a residential water meter replacement project and order a feasibility report.  According to a memo from Director of Public Works/City Engineer Ken Ashfeld to the Council, the city has more than 18,000 residential water meters measuring water consumption.

“The age of the meters range upwards of 40 years old with many having become antiquated and in need of replacement,” Ashfeld said in his memo.

By establishing the water meter replacement project and ordering the feasibility report, the City Council authorized city staff to figure out the cost and the benefit of replacing the customer read and direct read meters. Instead, putting in a water meter that can be read directly by the city.

If Maple Grove moves forward with water meter replacement, the city anticipates the project would take at least three to four years, with water meter replacement done during the evening and weekend by a contractor. 

“This would be the most cost effective approach for the city as well as its customers so that residents did not have to take time off work to provide entry into houses,” Ashfeld said in his memo.

Eventually, the newly considered water meters would be able to be read directly by the city instead of drive by operations.