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Plainview to install smart water meters starting January 2024 under Ameresco contract
Summary
City presentation in the Feb. 20 meeting described the previously announced advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project: Ameresco and Pedal Valves Incorporated contractors will replace residential and commercial meters with smart AMI meters, with work scheduled weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and some Saturdays if needed.
The City of Plainview and contractors Ameresco and Pedal Valves Incorporated will begin replacing existing residential and commercial water meters with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) beginning in January 2024, according to a project notice read during the council meeting.
City staff said the AMI project is intended to update Plainview's water infrastructure and give customers more detailed information about water consumption. Contractors will remove old meters and install smart meters and associated equipment over the course of the rollout.
Operational details presented Staff described the contractor identification, hours of operation, and resident notifications: - Contractor identification: contractors will wear uniforms and display logos on vehicles. - Hours: meter installation is scheduled Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; some Saturday work may occur if needed. - Access and notifications: contractors will give a courtesy knock before replacing an outdoor meter; if a resident answers they will explain the process and ask that water not be used for approximately 30 minutes during installation. If there is no response, contractors will assess whether water is in use and return later if needed. Contractors will not enter homes to perform work. - Line flushing: if an accessible outdoor faucet is available on the front or side of a property, contractors will flush the home's lines after installation and leave a door hanger noting the work. If lines are not flushed, the door hanger will include homeowner instructions (for example, run cold water in a bathtub or outdoor faucet for about one minute); staff emphasized residents should not use hot water while flushing to avoid sediment in hot-water heaters. - Access issues: locked gates, inaccessible meters, loose dogs or other obstacles may prevent completion; in those cases, contractors will leave a door hanger explaining why and how to reschedule.
Communications and contact information Staff said the city will notify residents via local media, social media and the city's website (www.plainviewtx.org under the "Plainview is Water Wise" section). For questions, the city provided a phone number (806-296-1100) and an email (watermeterproject@plainviewtx.org).
Why this matters AMI conversion changes how customers and the city collect and receive water-usage data and can affect billing, leak detection and customer access to consumption information. The city presentation outlined steps to minimize customer disruption and provided instructions for line flushing and rescheduling if access is an issue.
Ending The city and contractors asked for resident cooperation and noted door-hanger notices and multiple communication channels will be used to keep residents informed during the multi-month installation effort.
