City faces urgent need to upgrade aging water meters

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the urgent need to replace outdated mechanical water meters in the city, highlighting significant inefficiencies that have led to revenue losses. The current meters, some of which are decades old, are reportedly reading below 90% efficiency, prompting an estimated 10% increase in revenue once replacements are implemented.

The discussion revealed that approximately 5,000 meters are currently unreadable due to improper splicing of wires during a previous Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) program. This issue stems from the wires being too short, which has hindered accurate readings and created ongoing operational challenges. Officials noted that the city has already replaced about 7,000 meters over the past four years, utilizing in-house staff to document and address the splicing errors.

Council members acknowledged that the problems faced by Port Arthur are reflective of broader infrastructure challenges seen across the United States. The meeting underscored the critical need for a comprehensive replacement and maintenance program to ensure the city's water utility system operates effectively and efficiently.