Memo - Water Meter Replacement
'Memorandum
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To: Hopkins City Council
From: Jim Genellie
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Date: August 26, 2004
Subject: Water Meter Replacement
On July 20 City staff proposed that the City Council amend Sections 710 and 715 of the
Hopkins City Code. These changes to the City Code would allow a program for citywide
replacement of commercial water meters (i.e. meters larger than 1" in diameter).
Reasons for the replacement program are:
1) Technology is more current for reading both high and low flows;
2) allows for a radio-read system, completing the complete citywide system; and
3) ensures that all users are metered with the same accuracy.
During discussions regarding these replacements, representatives for condominium and
town home associations objected to paying the entire cost of replacing their meters.
. The city is responsible for maintaining and replacing all water meters 1" in diameter or
less. This program is funded through the water utility. Owners of meters larger than 1" are
responsible for replacing them.
The fact that the City only pays for the replacement of meters that are 1" in diameter or
smaller has been described as a technicality. Rather it is a recognition that the City has a
limited amount of resources, both financial and personnel.
There has also been a contention that the City discriminates against condo and town
home owners. Any town home or condominium that has a 1" or smaller meter will have it
replaced at no cost. Any owner of a single-family home that might have a meter larger
than 1" would be responsible for paying the cost of replacing that meter. When most town
homes and condominiums in Hopkins were built the decision was made to install a larger
meter that would service a number of units. There is a considerable savings in plumbing
costs and materials by making this decision.
The cost of a 5/8" meter is $226.00. This is the normal size meter that is installed in a
residence. The transponder costs an additional $190.00. If a new home is built in the City,
the owner is required to pay this cost. Once the meter is installed, the City maintains the
meter and, if necessary, replaces the meter. It usually takes around 15 minutes to replace
a 5/8" meter.
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The City Council has several options in regards to paying for larger meters.
. 1. It can continue the current policy and not pay for any meter larger than 1",
2. It can decide to pay for the replacement of larger meters that are installed in
condominiums and town homes.
3. It could decide to give a credit to town homes and condominiums equal to the cost
of 5/8" meter for every larger meter they have to replace.
There is no cost to the water utility fund of the first option.
The cost of the second option depends on the number and size of the meters that need to
be replaced in town homes and condominiums. City staff estimates that there are
approximately 100 meters that may need to be replaced. Unfortunately city records to do
not indicate the size of most of these meters. Assuming that most of them are 1.5" in
diameter, with the remaining being 2" in diameter, an approximate cost to pay for
complete replacement would be about $78,000.
The cost of the third option, assuming 100 meters, would be about $42,000.
I have not included labor costs. The total cost of one hour of time of a water and utility
worker is approximately $30.00 (wages, benefits, social security, etc.) The cost of labor to
replace a large meter will vary on the size and location of the meter. The total labor cost
could exceed $10,000.
. The City will be providing some services to entities replacing large meters at no cost.
These services include installation of transponders and inspecting the meter replacement.
Attached are the following:
. Council Report 2004-111
. Minutes from the July 20 City Council Meeting concerning meter replacement
. Minutes from the August 4 City Council Meeting concerning meter replacement
. Article from the August 12 issue of the Sailor
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