Water meter project enters second phase

The city is currently reviewing bids for the installation of electronic water meters across Jennings.

Mayor Henry Guinn said the advertising period closed Oct. 17, giving his office 30 days to review any bids submitted.

The work includes replacing manually-read meters with electronic ones for around half of the city’s 4,800 meters. The city has set aside $500,000 in this fiscal year’s budget to cover the cost and installation of approximately 2,000 meters during the second phase of the project.

The first phase of the project was completed during the previous fiscal year using a $25,000 grant, and included the installation of the computer software needed for city employees to manage the meters, as well as the installation of the new meters in the Silverwood area.

“The review period is 30 days and then there will be around 60-90 days for the materials to be sourced, putting the approximate start date for the work after the first of the year,” Guinn said.

He asked for residents’ patience while the work is being carried out.

“Since much of the work is being completed underground, we won’t always know in advance what the installation will entail,” Guinn said. “Some of this infrastructure hasn’t been seen since the 1940s. We might have to do things such as tear up sidewalks during the project, but we promise to leave everything better than it was before the project began.”

The city has been looking at ways to ensure due revenue concerning water operations. Nonpayment has been an expensive issue, costing the city an average of $4,000 per month in the past year, according to Guinn.

“Much of this was due to the city waiving a reconnection fee while upgrading computer software to allow multiple forms of payments,” he said.

“This is cutting-edge technology and it’s going to take us into the modern era ... This will save thousands of man hours for water shut-off or reactivation.”
– Jennings Mayor Henry Guinn

The city expects water revenue to increase in the coming fiscal year due to the planned installation of electronic meters.”

“This is going to be a system that benefits consumers and the city,” Guinn said. “Today it takes us four weeks to read the city’s 4,800 meters and two two-week periods where we are working on billing. That doesn’t include the approximate 150 meters we have to shut off or turn on each month due to nonpayment. For the customers, this system reads water usage up to a tenth of a gallon, ensuring the best accuracy for their bill. We can also tell from your meter if there is a leak or a certain time of day when usage is greatly spiking.

Guinn said the new system is upgradable and could be linked to the parish’s new GIS mapping software to collect data.

“When meters are installed they will take note of the GPS location and link it up with the GIS mapping software,” he said. “This is cuttingedge technology and it’s going to take us into the modern era. This information will take the guesswork out of maintenance and drive down our operating costs. The system is also capable of interrupting water service from city hall. This will save thousands of man hours for water shut-off or reactivation.”

The city will also have the ability to email or text alerts when consumption spikes, which Guinn said would protect the consumer from unexpected water breaks or leaks at a residence.

Guinn said once the $500,000 is spent, the city plans to continue sourcing funds to support installations until all 4,800 city customers have new meters.

“This is going to help us capture and bill true water consumption, as well as drive down operating costs,” Guinn said. “I am aware of the initial investment to put the new system in place, but in the long run, this is really going to pay off for both the consumers and the city.”

Bids received will be reviewed and discussed at November’s city council meeting schedule for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13.