Why Des Plaines could boost water meter installation

Following the discovery of malfunctioning water meters and water lines that don’t even have that equipment, Des Plaines officials have proposed installing more meters than originally planned this year.

The city’s water division purchases and installs Sensus automated meters in an ongoing effort to standardize water meters throughout town. Dubbed smart meters, they’re more accurate than old-fashioned analog meters. They also can be read remotely, unlike older meters that require door-to-door checking.

The water division regularly tests meters at homes and businesses for accuracy. Recent tests revealed many meters have reached the end of their useful lives, officials said in a memo.

Crews also came across water lines that bypass meters, resulting in building owners not being charged for all the water being used at their properties, the memo said.

To correct these problems, city officials want to spend $350,000 to purchase and install 200 additional water meters this year. That’s on top of the $300,000 already budgeted in the water fund to install between 200 and 350 meters this year, Assistant Public Works Director Timothy Watkins said in an email.

Pricing varies based on meter size and the amount of plumbing work that might be required, Watkins said.

The city council is expected to approve the purchase Monday night. The meters would be purchased from a Carol Stream branch of Core & Main, the company that has provided the devices to the city since 2012, documents indicate.

The proposed contract with Core & Main is part of the council’s consent agenda, which is reserved for routine items that don’t require debate.

The public portion of Monday’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at city hall, 1420 Miner St. It also can be viewed live online at desplaines.org.