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Rowlett seeks $735K AquaMetric contract to clear meter failures, recapture lost revenue
Summary
Staff proposed a not‑to‑exceed $735,000 contract with AquaMetric to fix ~2,500 problematic Sensus meters and bring the meter‑replacement program back on schedule; about $444,000 of the amount is for parts, with the remainder for labor and warranty coordination to recover reimbursements where available.
City utilities staff told the council on April 6 they have struggled with widespread failures in legacy Sensus SR‑2 meters and registers, leading to non‑reads and 0‑read conditions that produce lost revenue and customer‑service problems.
Staff described three primary failure causes: (1) a swollen magnet or failing oscillating‑piston meter body in older SR‑2 units, (2) registers whose batteries were out of warranty because warranty began at manufacture rather than installation, and (3) installation/programming errors that left remote radios at reduced transmit power. Staff said turnover in installation crews exacerbated the program’s backlog and that a focused contractor effort would be more efficient to clear approximately 2,500 accounts showing non‑reads.
Staff recommended a contract with AquaMetric (the Sensus parts and service reseller) not to exceed $735,000, which included about $444,000 in parts (new Sensus meters and registers) and approximately $290,625 in labor to replace or repair up to ~2,500 meters at about $116 per meter in labor. AquaMetric will also process warranty reimbursement claims with Sensus for eligible registers. Council was told the contract appears on the next council consent agenda for approval.
