[Chat] Fwd: Baltimore Water Metering - The Future Begins Now

Wed Nov 30 00:04:48 EST 2011

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Baltimore Water Metering - The Future Begins Now
Date: 	Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:21:07 -0600
From: 	City of Baltimore <baltimorecity at alerts.baltimorecity.gov>
Reply-To: 	City of Baltimore <baltimorecity at alerts.baltimorecity.gov>
To: 	jdydee at verizon.net

dpw
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 28, 2011

  Baltimore Water Metering – The Future Begins Now

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore City Department of Public 
Works Director, Alfred H. Foxx, announced today that initial steps are 
being taken to bring our water metering and billing system into the 
information age.   The Mayor stated, "Efficient and effective customer 
service is a top priority of this administration and we are very focused 
on those services we deliver to every citizen, in our City and our 
region, every day."  To that end, DPW has begun replacement of 
approximately 12,000 Automatic Reading and Billing (ARB) meters 
throughout Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
These early-generation remote read meters were installed in homes as a 
pilot program nearly 40 years ago.  They are outdated and, in some 
cases, can no longer provide remote meter reading capabilities.
What does this mean for our customers?
1.  Replacement of these ARBs, with outside meters, will eliminate 
problems in obtaining actual meter reads caused by this particular 
meter.  Estimated bills at these locations will end.
2. Outside meter installations is a first step to bring consistency to 
all DPW meters and necessary to the next phase of upgrades.
3.  DPW is developing a request for proposals (RFP) for an automated 
reading and billing system which will utilize the outside meters.  The 
meters will eventually have a low–frequency radio attachment allowing 
them to be read even when covered in ice and snow.
4. Once this process is completed, over the next several years, not only 
will the meters be easily readable, but a new automated billing system 
will be linked to them, resulting in more timely, accurate and 
customer-friendly bills.
“One exciting part of all of this is that once the system is in place, 
customers will be able to track their water usage on their home 
computers and smart phones.  If you have a leak in your home you will be 
able to detect that very quickly,” said Director Foxx.
Customers with ARB meters are being notified of the replacement and can 
expect to first see a new meter vault placed in the sidewalk.  New 
meters will be placed in those vaults within the following few weeks.  
Homeowners will be notified before the meter is set as they may 
experience a very brief (1 hour or less) water outage during 
installation.  The existing ARB meters inside of homes will remain in 
place and will not impact a customer’s water service.
Baltimore City Public Works wants your input into how we can improve 
service to our water customers.  Write to us at water at baltimorecity.gov 
<mailto:water at baltimorecity.gov>.

      Follow us on Twitter: @BaltimoreDPW & Join our Baltimore City
      Department of Public Works Facebook Fan Page!

      Please consider the environment before printing this.

*
*
**

Contact:

Celeste Amato                                            Kurt Kocher

Telephone: 410-545-6541Telephone: 410-396-3500

email: Celeste.Amato at baltimorecity.gov 
<mailto:Celeste.Amato at baltimorecity.gov%20><mailto:Celeste.Amato at baltimorecity.gov%20> 
email: Kurt.Kocher at baltimorecity.gov <mailto:Kurt.Kocher at baltimorecity.gov>

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