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Council approves $614,000 purchase to convert water meters to cellular reads for faster leak detection
Summary
Sandpoint approved a purchase order to upgrade meter endpoints to cellular reads, enabling more frequent reads and quicker leak detection; staff said the per-endpoint service is about $1/month and the city will accelerate rollout over three years.
The Sandpoint City Council approved a purchase order April 1 for cellular meter endpoints and associated equipment to modernize the city’s water-meter reading system.
Public works director Holly Ellis and vendor representative Brody explained the technical change: replacing older drive-by endpoints with cellular-enabled endpoints so reads can be uploaded via existing cellular networks rather than requiring monthly drive-by reads. Ellis said the city’s objectives are faster leakage detection, improved treatment-plant responsiveness, and long-term operational efficiencies. "This would give our operators a tool to react in real time to water usage and be more proactive versus reactive," Ellis said.
Council discussed costs, warranty and battery life (representatives said typical battery life is 8–10 years with a 10-year warranty, prorated to 20 years in some situations), and a per-meter cellular service cost of about $1 per month. Staff said the purchase will be funded from the water fund and included in existing rate planning; the city expects to roll the conversion out in three phases over three years, then return to a routine long-term replacement schedule.
Council voted by roll call to approve the purchase order. Staff said improvements are expected to reduce rereads and fuel/staff time once the system is fully implemented, and that initial installation will prioritize meters with frequent rereads and known problems.
