Schaumburg launches $4.67 million program to upgrade water meters

Schaumburg's three-year program to replace water meter readers begins next month with letters sent to residents urging them to schedule an appointment to get their units replaced.

The $4.67 million program will include the replacement of about 950 water meters and 26,500 water meter transmission units, which are devices that use radio frequency signals to send water usage information to the village.

The new equipment will be similar to the water meters and transmission units the village installed in 2005 and 2006 but provide a quicker leak detection system, according to the village. The older units have exceeded their life span and are no longer under warranty, the village says.

"The public is not going to experience any difference in service," said Alison Albrecht, the village's communications manager.

When residents receive a letter from the village contractor, a company called Water Resources, they are encouraged to call the phone number provided and make an appointment. Contractors will have a village-issued ID badge to identify themselves.

A typical installation takes 30 to 40 minutes, and a person over the age of 18 must be present during the installation, according to the village.

More information on the water meter program, including a map of which areas will have their water meters replaced when, is available at www.ci.schaumburg.il.us.