$2M Water Meter Replacement Project In Madison

MADISON, NJ — The Borough of Madison will spend $2 million to install 4,100 new water meters in Madison homes and businesses.

The new water meters will be more accurate than the current ones, resulting in more accurate user fees, said James Finelli, acting leadman in the Madison Water Department.

Currently, the borough only reads the meters four times a year, but with the new meters, they can be read every day.

According to the council, the project will receive $1,425,000 from the water capital improvement fund and $575,000 from the water capital reserve for the replacement of water meters and communication modules.

This project includes contracting staff to install the equipment in addition to purchasing new water meters and AMI communication modules. There are currently only three employees in the Water Field Department who cannot complete this project alone because the plan is to install 4,100 meters over the course of a year.

Concerns raised about the project include the state of resident-owned pipes. Although the meter is owned by the borough, the homeowner is responsible for the cost of pipework if additional plumbing is required.

Homeowners must also locate their water meter if they have built around it when the installation company enters their homes, Finelli said.

The new accurate water meters are expected to reduce billing charges for residents due to accidental overbilling, officials said.

New equipment and meters are currently being installed in a small area of town that includes the Madison Commons; the installation should take less than an hour and will require access to your basement or utility room.

Residents can schedule their equipment and meter upgrade by contacting MeterTek Utility Services Inc. at 1-800-717-0974 or visiting their website at www.metertek.net.

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