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Commission discusses roll-out of new water meters, billing plan and ending meter pits
Summary
Beaver County commissioners and staff discussed plans to finish installing new water meters and to move toward a base‑rate plus overage billing model, with staff collecting more data before any final billing changes.
Beaver County commissioners and staff discussed plans to finish installing new in‑unit water meters, begin collecting usage data and move toward a base‑rate plus overage billing model, with a tentative target of beginning an initial billing phase on Jan. 1.
The discussion centered on implementation details: how many meters are installed, who will bill customers, whether some multi‑unit complexes need master meters, and whether the county should stop requiring meter pits in new construction. The conversation included technical, legal and timing concerns and did not produce a formal ordinance change at the meeting.
Brandon, a staff member, said roughly “30 or 40” meters were already installed, with another about 20 meters still in boxes awaiting installation and that he wants all meters online before the first snowfall. He said some buildings, including Wooded Ridge and Mount Holly, will require a single master meter because individual unit lines could not be identified.
A staff participant noted the vendor sends flow‑test data with each meter and that devices are generally accurate within about 0.2–1.1 percent. Commissioners and staff said the vendor can perform billing by individual meter and that the vendor’s data subscription was discussed as roughly $5 per meter per month for meter data; a separate small per‑bill processing fee was described as likely but not specified.
Several commissioners said accurate billing rates will require one or two full seasonal cycles of data because usage varies between summer (when units may be vacant) and winter (when cabins are occupied). Participants discussed an initial approach of setting a base quarterly rate and charging overage per gallon, with the caveat that the base rate would be “subject to change” as the county collects more data.
On meter pits, a meeting participant asked whether the county should stop requiring meter pits for new builds now that in‑unit meters are being installed. Leo, a staff member, said he will review the relevant ordinances and report back. Commissioners emphasized that any change would need to ensure curb stops or other shutoff access remain required and that legal and budgetary implications be reviewed.
Other operational issues raised included programming software allowances by unit type (studio, three‑bedroom, etc.), how billing output would be handed to county billing staff or to the vendor, and whether the county should encourage or require low‑flow toilets in cabins to reduce usage. No formal motion to change the meter‑pit requirement or to adopt a specific billing schedule was taken at the meeting.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, and no implementation deadlines or ordinance amendments were approved during the session. Staff were directed to continue installing meters, collect usage data and return with ordinance clarifications and recommended billing options for future meetings.
