Water utility previews AMI meter rollout and tank replacements; rate study scheduled
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Summary
Water utility staff told the commission state guidance is prompting replacement of older bolted-steel tanks, and proposed a multiyear advanced‑metering infrastructure (AMI) project to improve leak detection and billing; county staff previewed a rate study and asked for guidance on timing of implementation.
Douglas County water staff described a multi-year capital slate that includes replacement or redundancy of aging storage tanks, an AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) program to replace drive-by AMR meters with real-time, radio-tower-based metering and a preview of an updated water-rate study.
Deputy Public Works Director Rick Robillard said state sanitary-survey approaches and Bureau of Safe Drinking Water guidance have increased the need to replace some bolted-steel tanks. "They essentially said you’ll be replacing all your tanks," Robillard said, noting planning and permitting challenges for tanks on Forest Service property in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Robillard outlined the AMI project’s benefits: real-time reads, leak notifications, operational savings by eliminating periodic drive-by reads and improved customer access to usage data. The utility estimated improved detection and customer service while acknowledging up-front capital and multiyear implementation costs.
County staff said an external rate study (FCS or similar consultant) is under way and will be brought to the commission for public discussion; staff asked the board to consider a timing variance that would allow rates to be implemented earlier in the calendar year if the board elects to do so in light of accelerated capital needs.
Why it matters: mandated tank replacements and AMI upgrades are capital-intensive and will intersect directly with the water-utility rate structure; commissioners were told timing of rate adjustments affects reserve levels and the fund’s health.
What’s next: staff will return with a completed rate-study proposal and formal rate-change schedule for public hearing and adoption.
