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Olds council hears utility reports as unaccounted-for water hits 23.44%; approves handheld meter purchase
Summary
City staff reported 23.44% unaccounted-for water and 604,000 gallons used in October; council approved buying a handheld meter to replace an aging unit and noted staff are waiting for an FCC license to program radio-read equipment. The sewer discharge and testing results were also reviewed.
Russell Conrad reported during the Nov. 13 Olds City Council meeting that unaccounted-for water for the reporting period was 23.44% and total water usage was 604,000 gallons. The minutes state that Tim read meters on Oct. 20, 2024 and that the city is waiting on an FCC license needed to program radio-read meter equipment supplied by McCoys.
Council members discussed equipment needs and voted 5-0 to purchase a handheld meter because the current unit is very old and the city has no backup. Councilmember Timothy Breuer moved the purchase and Jim Rohde seconded; the motion carried with five ayes.
Why it matters: A high unaccounted-for water percentage can signal leaks, metering error or billing losses; the council said the handheld meter is needed as a backup and to support migration to radio-read metering once licensing allows. The packet lists McCoys as the supplier of all meters and notes the city is awaiting FCC authorization to program new meters.
Sewer compliance: The council also reviewed the monthly DNR report and recorded that a discharge was completed Oct. 24, 2024. Test results for CBOD, TSS, E. coli and ammonia nitrogen were provided in the report. Jim Warner said he had contacted the DNR and was working with a new project manager; staff must submit documents to justify a request for a pilot program and extension. Warner also said more information from B.E.S. Water Solutions is needed to complete a Disadvantaged Communities application for the DNR to review.
The council approved the handheld meter purchase and confirmed that follow-up on NPDES documentation and additional data from B.E.S. will continue before further action. The next regular meeting is Dec. 11, 2024.
