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Vernonia council hears plan as aging water meters near mass replacement
Summary
Councilors were warned the city’s roughly 1,100 water meters are aging: staff said about 700 need replacement and estimated a multi‑year replacement program could cost roughly $300,000; options include bulk purchases or drive‑by reads to limit antenna costs.
Vernonia councilors were briefed on an impending wave of water‑meter replacements after staff and committee members said many existing meters are at or past their effective service life.
“ We have a total of about 1,100 meters,” the chair reported during the public works update, adding that roughly 700 meters will need replacement and that a 0.75‑inch digital meter currently costs about $358. Committee members said a prior large replacement round and manufacturing dates make a concentrated replacement necessary.
A committee member explained that meters lose efficiency as they age — “you’re down to about 90% efficiency” beyond a certain point — and said the city’s previous target of replacing about 60 meters per year fell short in recent years. Staff outlined options to reduce costs, including bulk procurement that could cut roughly $100 per meter and continuing a phased replacement over about three years. Councilors also discussed technology choices: installing radio‑cover antennas would add expense, while drive‑by reading equipment could be less costly in Vernonia’s topography.
Councilors were told the city has some facilities/reserve funds for the program and that staff will present options to the committee before bringing a formal budget request to the full council.
