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Town to consider pilot program for remote-reading water meters; vendor demonstration scheduled
Summary
Sigurd staff reviewed options to replace aging master meters and switch to remotely read meters (radio hub or AT&T cellular). Council asked the vendor (Peterson Plumbing/Brad Christiansen) to present a demonstration at the next meeting.
SIGURD — Town staff briefed the council on a vendor proposal to pilot new remotely readable water meters and a hub-reading system on April 16, saying the move would reduce field-reading time and avoid frequent trips to Saint George for parts.
Maintenance staff described two reading options: a radio-read hub that would allow on‑site office reads or a cellular (AT&T) approach that charges an estimated $6 per meter per year for cellular service. Staff reported meter hardware price estimates in the packet (discussed as roughly $100–$240 per meter depending on make), a one-time radio-read setup cost in the range of $10,000–$15,000, and an annual renewal or support fee (roughly $2,000 cited). The staff recommended a pilot in new subdivisions where several meters are being installed now.
The town's current master meters operate on older 3G systems, and staff emphasized migration to newer networks (4G/5G) will be needed eventually. Council agreed to invite Brad Christiansen of Peterson Plumbing to the next meeting for a vendor demonstration and to provide more exact costs and interoperability details with the town's billing system.
What happens next: Brad Christiansen will be asked to demonstrate the metering and reading options at the next council meeting so members can evaluate costs and a phased deployment plan.
