Burke County approves contract for 2240 new Neptune water meters and installation

In a pivotal meeting held on April 21, 2025, Burke County officials gathered to discuss a significant upgrade to the county's water meter system, a move that promises to enhance service for its residents. Mark Delhaan, the General Services Director, presented a comprehensive plan to replace all residential water meters across the county, a project that has been in the works for some time.

Delhaan outlined the current state of the water meter systems, which serve approximately 2,000 customers in the Burke South area, along with smaller systems on Airport Road and Omara. The existing meters, many of which are over a decade old, have been plagued by issues such as reduced accuracy and battery failures. These challenges have made it increasingly difficult to provide reliable water usage readings.

The county received bids for the purchase of 2,240 new water meters on March 18 and for their installation on April 4. Delhaan emphasized the importance of this upgrade, noting that the new Neptune T10 meters would not only improve accuracy but also offer advanced features such as leak detection and usage history tracking. These meters can store up to 96 days of usage data, providing valuable insights that can help resolve customer disputes and alert residents to potential issues like backflow or leaks.

The decision to move forward with the Neptune T10 meters, which are manufactured in Alabama, aligns with the practices of several other water providers in the area, further ensuring reliability and support. Delhaan highlighted that three out of eight local water providers already utilize these meters, which speaks to their quality and effectiveness.

As the meeting concluded, the county officials expressed optimism about the project, recognizing its potential to significantly enhance water service for residents. With a full ten-year replacement warranty on the new meters, Burke County is poised to improve its infrastructure and customer service, paving the way for a more efficient and responsive water management system.